A  STATEMENT 


OP  THE 


FRAUDS 


ON  THE 


ELECTIVE  FRANCHISE 

IN  THE 


(Eitg  of  ^tm  ^ork, 


In  the  FaU  of  the  Year  1838  and  Spring  of  183  OS 


BY 


JAMES  B.  GLEKT WORTH. 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 

i£x  Htbrts 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  been  said 
"Ever  thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Eyccept  a  loaned  book." 


rKntcred  accordinp  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  yoi^r  l-sii,  I-}  (  ii  ul-  rroctor.  in  Ihc 
»mcv  of  the  Southern  I'iRlrict  of  New  York.] 


ADDRESS 


TO   THE   PEOPLE   OF   THE   UNITED  STATES. 

Fellow  Citizepj-s — The  object  of  my  addressing  you  at  this  time,  is  not  for 
the  purpose  of  justifying  myself  for  the  participation  which  I  have  had  in  the 
frauds  on  the  elective  franchise,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  the  years  1838 
and  1839,  which  produced  so  much  excitement  after  their  disclosure,  and  which 
were  so  widely,  justly,  and  severely  commented  upon  in  the  public  prints,  not 
only  in  this  country,  but  in  England.    That  I  did  participate  in  these  transac- 
tions, I  admit,  and  can  only,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  frankly  acknowledge  my 
error.    The  evil  is  done,  and  I  sincerely  regret  that  I  ever,  in  any  way,  allowed 
myself  to  participate  with  others  in  a  transaction  for  which  I  have  been  com- 
jpelled  by  circumstances  to  be  the  only  sufferer.    In  justice  to  my  country — in 
'^■^stice  to  my  tamily  — in  justice  to  my  friends — in  justice  to  myself — I  am  de- 
t^termined  now,  be  the  effect  on  myself  what  it  may,  to  present  to  the  public  a 
^•ftill,  candid,  true  and  impartial  account  of  those  frauds,  in  which  I  shall 

"  Nothing  exteimate, 
Nor  set  down  aught  m  malice." 

:n  I-am  well  aware  that  duty  required  me  to  adopt  this  course  long  since,  but, 
through  force  of  circum  stances,  my  hands  havebeen  tied  and  my  lips  closed;  and 
Tlwhile  my  name  has  been  branded  from  one  extent  of  the  country  to  the  other,  I 
-have  been  compelled  to  be  silent,  and  tamely  bear  the  whole  odium  attached  to 
those  transactions.  I  was  in  the  powerof  men  equally  guilty  with  myself,  and 
"both  threats  and  promises  were  resorted  to  to  obtain  the  "  mercy  of  my  silence." 
~  An  indictment  was  pending  over  me  for  participating  in  these  frauds,  and  until 
that  was  removed,  my  personal  liberty  requiredme  to  keep  secret  that  which 
justice  demanded  should  be  known.  That  necessity  is  now  removed.  I  am  re- 
leased from  that  indictment,  (itliaving  been  discharged  on  the  22d  ultimo,)  and 
the  truth  shall  now  be  laid  before  the  people,  and  the  guiity,  be  compelled  to 
bear  their  just  proportion  of  that,  which  heretofore,  I  have  singly  and  alone, 
been  forced  to  sustain. 

No  one  but  myself  knows  what  I  have  suffered. — I  have,  since  the  first  disclo- 
sures were  made,  seenfriend  after  friend  desert  me,  and  out  of  all  that  numerous 
host  with  which  I  was  on  terms  of  intimacy,  but  few  remain  that  call  tliem- 
selves  my  friends.  Considerations  of  honor  (whether  true  or  false)  towards  my 
confederates  influenced  my  conduct  at  the  time  of  my  arrest,  and  a  long  time  sub- 
sequent thereto.  Because  I  was  involved  in  trouble,  I  did  not  wish  to  involve 
them.  To  me,  that  would  have  been  no  gratification  or  relief.  I  presumed 
they  felt,  as  I  did,  deep  regret  for  their  unlawful  acts,  and  that  they  would,  at 
least  so  far  as  in  their  power,  relieve  me  from  my  difficulty.  I  expected  them  to 
act  honorably  towards  me;  and  it  was  notuntill  discovered,  upon  several  occa- 
sions, an  evident  design  (notwithstanding  repeated  assurances  to  (he  contrary) 
to  sacrifice  and  destroy  me,  to  load  mewith  ignominy,  and  whistle  me  down 
the  world,  a  prey  to  lortune,"  that  I^understood  the  true  position  in  which  I 


ADDRESS. 


was  plaeed.  They  appeared  to  consider  it  necessary  to  so  far  ruin  tny  reputation 
(hat  aught  I  could  say  in  relation  to  them  would  be  of  no  avail.  They  acted 
as  if  they  considered  their  safety  dependant  on  tlieir  success  in  affixing  infamy 
and  odium  upon  my  character.  How  far  they  havesucceeded  depends  upon  a 
verdict  of  the  people.  They  will  pass  upon  it  after  they  shall  have  perused 
the  statement  and  the  evidences  I  shall  lay  before  them.  Sensible  of  liaving 
committed  a  great  moral  wrpng,  I  can  only  now  appeal  to  a  forgiving  and  gene- 
rous people ;  and  if  they  can  find  any  extenuation,  in  consequence  of  my  ardent 
temperament,  which,  in  the  enthusiasm  of  party  excitement  and  party  stratagy, 
led  me  into  excesses,  my  object,  so  far  as  regards  myself,  will  be  accomplished. 
With  politics  I  have  done — I  have  no  hopes  or  expectations  from  party.  The 
disclosures  I  shall  make  will  be  made  free  from  any  bias,  and  on  mature  deli- 
beration, after  having  carefully  collected  the  facts  and  memoranda  upon  which 
to  base  it.  I  know  that  fearful  odds  are  against  me — I  am  almost  friendless 
and  alone.  Opposed  to  me  I  have  wealth, character,  influence,  public  andpri- 
yate  station  and  trust.  Fearful  odds !  But,  believing  in  the  maxim,  that 
**  truth  is  mighty,  and  will  prevail,"  I  enter  the  lists.considering  that  it  is  never 
too  late  to  redress  a  wrong,  or  do  a  good  and  justifiable  action. 

Independent  of  any  evidence,  let  us  apply  the  ordinary  rules  of  logic  to  the 
transactions  in|relation  to  these  frairds,  and  see  whether  they  are  for  or  against 
jthe  truth  of  my  statement.    If  the  statement  which  I  made  to  Mr.  J.  D.  Steven- 
son in  relation  to  these  frauds  was  not  true,  (and  it  has  always  been  denied  by 
the  leaders  of  the  whig  party,)  why  was  I  removed  from  office  ?    It  was  admit* 
ted  that  I  had  faithfully  and  ably  performed  the  duties  of  the  station  I  held,  and 
if  the  charges  against  me  were  false,  then  I  was  a  persecuted  man ;  and  as  they 
admitted  I  was  competent,  and  had  rendered  essential  services  to  the  party,  was 
it  not  their  duty  to  sustain  me  ?    I  had  their  ivritten  acknowledgment  of  my 
services,  not  in  measured  terms,  but  in  terms  of  unqualified  approbation.  Let 
us  look  also  at  the  other  side  of  the  question.    If  the  charges  were  true,  and 
known  to  Governo'-  Seward  and  the  prominent  leaders  of  the  whig  party, 
(which  I  solemnly  aver  they  did  know,)  were  they  not  bound  to  sustain  me,  in- 
stead of  attempting  to  degrade  me,  and  leaving  me  to  contend  against  the  other 
party  un  aided(except  secretly)  and  alone  ?   It  is  well  known  that  the  whig 
leaders  would  neither  openly  carry  me  through  my  difficulties,  nor  permit  the 
whig  party  to  rally  around  me.    If  I  alone  was  guilty — if  they  had  no  partici- 
pation in  the  frauds— if  they  were  ignorant  of  the  transactions — if  I  accused  and 
charged  upon  the  innocent  a  gross  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  land — then  I  deeply 
injured  them,    i  merited  their  severest  censure.    Why,  then,  did  they  secretly 
aid  and  assist  me,  but  publicly  calumniate  me     Such  was  the  course  they  pur- 
sued, until  they  supposed  their  public  slanders  had  sofar  blasted  my  reputa- 
tion that  their  victim  could  be  sacrificed  without  danger  to  themselres. 

Unless  I  was  guilty  of  the  charges  against  me,  there  was  no  reason  why  I 
should  not  have  received  the  confidence  and  support  of  the  whig  party.  Du- 
ring a  period  of  nine  years,  I  labored  like  a  slave,  as  thousands  can  attest,  in  the 
organization  of  that  party ;  and  after  the  result  of  the  election  in  1838, 1  WM 


I 


ADDRESS. 

solicited  to  accept  office,  and  declined  it.  I  was  satisfied  with  the  husineas  in 
which  I  was  then  engaged  ;  and  subsequent  events  have  convinced  me,  that  the 
most  unfortunate  era  of  my  life  was  that  in  which  I  accepted  office.  It  was 
conceded  that  1  merited  the  office :  it  was  conceded  that  the  duties  were  ably 
and  faithfully  discharged  ;  yet  I  was  removed  from  it  before  the  expiration  of 
the  term  for  which  I  had  been  appointed.  Was  therenot  some  cause  why  I  was 
removed?  What  was  that  cause  ?  If  I  was  guilty  of  the  frauds  charged  upon 
me,  was  I  alone  guilty  ?  were  they  known  only  to  me  ?  If  innocent,  why  re- 
move me  from  office,  and  thus  add  the  persecution  of  my  own  party  to  that  of 
my  political  opponents  These  arequestions  whichjl  wish  the  public  to  solve. 
If  those  charged  as  participators  in  the  election  frauds  were  innocent,  why  did 
they  not  court  investigation,  nay,  demand  it  ?  Their  innocence,  sealed  by  a  ver- 
dict of  a  jury  of  their  country,  would  have  made  for  them  party  capital,  because 
they  would  have  been  looked  upon  as  persecuted  men.  But  the  guilty  gene- 
rally reason  from  false  premises— they  shunned  investigation — they  created  a 
disastrous  issue  for  themselves.  Instead  of  endeavoring  to  screen  me,  their 
efforts  were  directed  to  removing  all  suspicion  from  themselves.  Had  they  rea- 
soned correctly,  they  would  have  seen,  that  had  I  been  convicted  of  the  charge, 
the  public  would  have  known  that  I  could  not,  unaided,  have  perpetrated  such 
stupendous  frauds.  Some  saw  the  question  in  its  true  light — some  felt  the 
danger  of  their  situations ;  and  it  was  probably  in  consquence  thereof,  that  I  was 
indebted  for  the  friendly  visits  and  letters  of  some  of  the  members  of  the  Grand 
Jury,  who  were  impannelled  during  the  term  that  the  first  attempt  was  made  to 
indict  me.  Had  that  responsible  body  been  tampered  with  ?  and  if  so,  by 
whom,  and  for  what  purpose  ?  Such  high  handed  acts  would  not  have  been 
perpetrated  without  strong  motives.  One  thing  is  certain,  I  did  not  tamper  with 
the  jury,  neither  was  it  done  by  my  request.  Did  those  who  have  been  accused 
know  of  the  frauds  ?  If  so— if  I  alone  was  guilty — what  motive  could  other* 
have  had  to  assist  me,  in  the  least,  during  the  judicial  proceedings  against  me 
By  my  actss  they  had  been  accused — if  innocent,  how  deeply  had  I  wronged 
them  !  Who  retained,  and  so  heavily  feed  the  counsel  employed  to  defend  me, 
both  on  the  examination  and  on  my  trial?  Charles  O'Conner  and  David  Gra- 
ham, jr.,  Esqrs.,  were  employed  and  paid  by  some  one,  not  by  myself.  James 
M.  Smith,  jr..  Esquire,  was  the  only  counsel  employed  by  me.  My  trial  came 
on  — the  jury  did  not  agree,  and  were  discharged. — Up  to  this  time,  my  con- 
federates— some  of  them,  at  least — deemed  it  essential  that  I  should  not  be  cod. 
victed.  Up  to  this  time  I  had  been  silent  as  totheir  participation  with  me  in 
the  frauds  for  which  I  was  justly  suffering.  The  Grand  Jury  had  failed  to  in- 
dict them ;  my  personal  safety  was  their  guarantee  for  my  silence.  The  in- 
dictment was  pending,  and  they  knew  that  a  word  against  them  would  furnish 
evidence  against  myself  They  also  knew  that  the  statute  of  limitations  would 
soon  protect  them  from  any  indictment  for  the  part  they  acted  in  the  frauds 
tor  which  I  was  indicted.  That  time  expired  the  beginning  of  November,  1841. 
Three  attempts  were  made  by  my  counsel,  James  M.  Smith,  Jr.,  Esq.,  for  my 
discharge,  urging  ai  each  time,  either  a  trial  or  a  discharge  from  the  indict- 
ment; but  it  was  deferred  by  the  Court  from  term  to  term,  until  the  statute 


ADDRESS. 


oj  limitations  would  protect  the  persons  implicated,  and  then  my  dkcharge 
toa^  granted/.'/ 

For  some  time  after  the  trial,  my  confederatesceased  to  hold  any  communi- 
cation with  me  in  relation  to  the  election  frauds.  But  a  circumstance  occur- 
red which  again  brought  them  to  ask  ol  me  a  favor,  humbled  as  I  was.  Tram- 
pled upon  as  I  had  been,  I  had  still,  as  they  knew,  the  power  to  harm  I  had  cer- 
tain papers  in  my  possession  which  were  dangerous  to  them.  I  was  in  pos- 
session of  some  facts,  and  they  feared  that  information  might  possibly  leak  out 
that  would  defeat  the  confirmation  of  certain  nominations  under  the  general 
government.  Again,  therefore,  negociations  were  set  on  foot,  and  I  confess 
openly  to  the  public,  that,  convinced  as  I  had  been,  by  their  acts,  of  their  utter 
turpitude  and  treachery  towards  me,  I  professedly  acceded  to  their  offers,  and 
availed  myself,  by  stratagem,  of  additional  evidence  to  fortify  myself  against  my 
powerful  adversaries.  Their  foot  was  on  my  neck — thousands  to  one  against 
me ;  and  while  thus  prostrate,  stratagy  was  my  only  hope  of  deliverance.  How 
well  my  plan  succeeded,  the  public  hereafter  shall  know.  In  the  expose  which 
I  feel  it  my  duty  to  make,  many  will  be  mentioned  whose  feelings  I  would  not 
willingly  wound;  but  it  is  not  my  fault  if  others,  less  immediately  connected 
and  inculpated  in  these  transactions,  are  pointed  out.  The  act  was  their  own; 
and  as  my  statement  must  be  a  faithfvl  one,  I  cannot  pass  them  by.  The  whole 
transactions  shall  now  be  given  to  the  public,  with  such  evidence  as  I  have  to 
substantiate  the  charges.  All  I  ask  is  a  candid  perusal ;  and  I  appeal  to  all  who 
shall  read  these  written,  and  now  complete  documents  and  narratives,  to  mark 
the  connected,  unbroken  and  lucid  chain  of  evidence  they  present,  of  locality, 
names,  dates,  persons,  incidents,  conversations,  &c  &c.,  to  say,  whether  they 
believe  it  to  be  within  the  compass  of  possibility,  that  any  human  being,  how- 
ever gifted  in  intellect,  base  in  moral  depravity,  or  maddened  by  despair,  could, 
with  the  most  fertile  and  ingenious  inventive  powers,  have  fabricated  such  a 
story,  or  forged  such  papers  as  are  presented.  , 

Almost  all  the  ori  pnal  letters  and  memoranda  have  come  into  my  posses- 
sion within  a  few  days ;  and  those  who  deserve  the  censure  cannot  now,  by 
any  subterfuge,  escape  the  just  and  merited  reproach  which  a  people,  jealous 
of  their  rights,  will  visit  upon  those  who  attempt,  by  fraud,  to  wrest  them 
from  them. 

It  will  be  seen,  in  the  sequel,  that  the  reproach  and  the  ignominy  which  they 
strove  to  fix  on  mq  alone,  should  be  shared  by  others  who  hold  higher  stations, 
and  have  more  friends,  more  wealtb,  and  more  influence  to  sustain  them,  than 
myself;  and  though  I  am  aware  that  their  participation  will  not  screen  me  from 
the  reproach  I  merit  for  the  part  1  have  performed,  it  will,  at  least,  teach  them 
that  neither  wealth,  place,  influence,  or  perjury,  are  safe  guarantees  against 
the  exposure  of  guilt. 

To  the  public  I  appeal,  confessing  and  regreting  my  errors,  and  by  their  ver- 
dict I  must  aliidc,  be  it  for  or  against  me. 
Very  respectfully, 

JAMES  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

New- York,  December  2d,  1841. 

[From  the  w\>ttJ  York  Evening  Post,  oj  December  29,  1S41  ] 


STATEMENT. 


Several  days  since  I  published  a  card  in  the  daily  papers,  in 
which  I  promised  to  submit  to  the  consideration  and  judgment  of  the  public 
the  facts  connected  with  the  election  frauds  in  this  city,  in  the  years  1838  and 
1839,  and  the  motives  which  iniaenced  me  in  making  an  exposition  of  the 
same.  In  redeeming  this  pledge,  I  repeat  m.y  declaration  then  made,  that  I 
am  not  actuated  by  any  feeling  of  hostility  ;  and  further,  that  I  am  not  in- 
fluenced by  any  person  or  persons  in  the  course  which  I  have  felt  it  my  duty 
to  adopt— but  that  I  act  in  this  matter  free  and  unbiassed,  and  according  to  the 
dictates  of  my  judgment,  after  having  maturely  weighed  the  subject  in  my 
own  mind,  and  calculated  all  the  chances  both  for  and  against  the  propriety 
of  my  course.  I  feel  sensible  that  I  have  committed  a  great  moral  wrong — 
I  know  that  I  have  been  instrumental  in  attacking  the  purity  of  one  of  the 
dearest  and  most  inestimable  rights  of  freemen.  .  I  have  succeeded,  hj  the  aid 
of  others^  in  consummating  a  stupendous  and  daring  fraud,  and  I  have  suifer- 
ed,  and  justly  too,  for  my  illegal  conduct;  but  when  I  look  around  ana  see 
others  who  were  as  guilty  as  myself — men,  who  reaped  benefit  Irom  their  in- 
iquity, while  I,  and  I  only,  was  compelled  to  suiFer— men.  who  have  been  el- 
evated in  consequence  of  their  and  my  unlawful  acts,  and  who  are  now  court- 
ed, while  lam  passed  by  as  unworthy  to  be  their  associate— I  can  but  think 
that  I  am  in  the  discharge  of  not  only  a  great  moral  obligation,  but  also  of  a 
duty  which  I  owe  to  myself  and  the  public,  to  point  out  the  men  who  were 
the  guilty  participators  with  me,  that  they  may  be  known  to  the  public,  and 
also  to  expose  'ihe  manner  in  which  these  frauds  were  perpetrated,  in  order 
that  hereafter  no  such  acts  can  be  attempted  without  a  certainty  of  defeat.—- 
But  I  will  not  take  up  your  time  with  preliminary  remarks,  but  proceed  to 
give  the  statement  of  the  frauds. 

Towards  the  close  of  September,  or  the  early  part  of  October,  1838,  "  a 
confidential  committee"  was  raised  from  each  of  the  executive  committees  of 
the  Old  and  Young  Men's  General  Whig  Committees  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  Robert  Swartv/out,  Francis  L.  Lippett  and  Redwood  Fisher  were  se- 
lected by  the  former,  and  James  Bowen,  Robert  C.  Wetmore  and  myself  on 
the  part  of  the  latter.  Mr.  Swartwout  was  selected  on  the  pait  of  the  Confi- 
dential Committee  of  the  Old  Men,  and  I  was  selected  by  the  Young  Men's 
Committee,  to  carry  into  effect  such  confide7iiial  operations  as  might  be  propo- 
sed and  agreed  upon.  Mr.  Swartwout  and  myself  had  several  interviews  in 
the  Whig  Committee  room  in  Broad  street  and  elsewhere,  in  reference  to  the 
Philadelphia  operation,  which  was  to  procure  persons  from  that  city  to 
VOTE  IN  THE  CITY  OF  New  York.  It  was  agreed  that  we  should  proceed  to 
Philadelphia,  and  consult  some  prominent  members  of  the  whig  party  there 
as  to  the  feasibility  of  the  contemplated  project.   Mr.  Swartwout  and  myself 


4 


left  New  York,  according  to  nppoiatment,  on  the  6ih  day  of  October,  1838^ 
on  board  the  steamboat  Independence,  for  Philadelphia,  by  the  way  of  South 
Amboy,  and  from  thence  by  railroad  to  Philadelphia.  I  acted  as  purser,  and 
paid  our  passages  and  other  expenses.  The  hour  for  leaving  New  York  was 
changed  on  that  day  to  twelve  o'clock,  for  the  first  lime,  as  I  believe,  for  that 
season.  This  was  ori  Saturday.  We  arrived  at  Philadelphia  at  about  dusk 
of  the  same  day,  and  went  to  the  United  States  Hotel.  The  next  day,  at  about 
half  past  twelve  o'clock,  Mr.  Swarlwoutand  myself  went  to  the  residence  of 
Colonel  John  Swift,  formerly  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  There  an 
interview  was  had  with  him,  in  which,  however,  I  took  no  part,  but  left  the 
matter  entirely  with  Mr.  Swartwout.  They  went  into  the  back  parlor,  leav- 
ing me  in  the  front  with  thefamil)'.  After  we  had  been  at  the  house  soma 
fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  I  was  called  into  the  room  with  them.  Colonel 
Swift  rsmarked  that  he  would  introduce  some  persons  to  me  the  next  day,  in- 
quiring, at  the  sams  time,  where  we  stayed.  I  am  not  certain  whether  he 
then  named  the  persons  whom  he  would  introduce  to  me.  I  had  been  ac- 
quainted with  him  from  my  boyhood.  Immediately  after  this  interview,  Mr. 
Swartwout  and  myself  returned  to  the  United  States  Hotel.  Ou  the  way,  he 
informed  me  that  Colonel  Swift  considered  the  project  contemplated  by  us  as 
practicable,  and  that  he  had  promised  to  send  persons  to  me  to  carry  it  into 
etfect;  that  he  would  aid  us  in  accomplishing  the  same.  It  was  agreed  that 
I  should  remain  in  Philadelphia  to  make  the  arrangements,  &c.  Mr.  Swart- 
wout left  that  evening,  at  five  o'clock,  for  New  York.  The  next  morning 
Colonel  Swift  called  on  me,  at  the.' United  States  Hotel,  and  I  think  it  was  at 
tkattime  that  he  introduced  to  me  Robert  Miller,  and  stated  that  he  would 
send  James  Young  to  see  me  in  the  course  of  the  .  day.  He  remained  but  a 
very  short  lime.  I  had  considerable  conversation  with  Miller;  he  also  ^aid 
he  would  send  Young  to  me  either  during  that  or  the  following  day.  Our 
conversation  was  upon  the  subject  of  procuring  persons  from  Philadelphia  to 
vote  the  whig  ticket  in  the  city  of  New  York.  Miller  said  he  would  ascer- 
tain if  he  could  furnish  a  certain  number  of  persons  for  the  purpose,  and  see 
me  again  as  to  the  com.pensation  which  1  was  to  pay  them.  During  that  or 
the  following  day,  and  which  I  am  not  positive,  James  Young  called  at  the 
United  States  Hotel,  and  inquired  for  me  at  the  bar.  He  was  at  this  lime  ona 
of  the  high  constaoles  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  I  v;as  sent  for.  When  I 
came  in,  he  approached  me  and  mentioned  his  name.  We  stepped  aside  and 
had  some  conversation  on  the  subject  of  the  business  before  stated.  Ha 
thought  the  matter  practicable,  and  agreed  to  see  me  after  ascertaining  the 
views  and  expectations  of  the  parties.  I  met  both  Young  and  Miller  r«peat- 
edly  at  my  rooms  and  elsewhere.  During  these  interviews  I  made  arrange- 
ments with  them  to  furnish  men  to  come  from  Philadelphia  to  the  city  of 
New  York  and  rote  .at  the  appioaching  fall  election.  By  the  terms  of  the 
agreement  which  I  entered  into  with  said  Young  and  Miller,  I  was  to  pay 
them  thirty  dollars  for  each  man  they  furnished  for  the  aforesaid  purpose. — 
Lists  of  names  of  men  were  given  me  by  Young  and  Miller,  who,  ihey  in- 
formed  me,  would  goto  New  York  and  vote  on  those  terms.  This  visit  to 
Philadelphia  was  only  to  naake  the  preliminary  arrangements  ;  I  did  not  go 
prepared  with  funds  to  complete  them.    On  the  11th  day  of  October  I  refiuned 


to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  had  an  interview  soon  after  my  arrival  with 
James  Bowenand  oihers,  informed  them  of  my  movements  at  Philadelphia, 
and  the  arrangements  which  I  could  make.  They  expressed  themselves  per- 
fectly satisfied.  After  a  meeting  of  the  Whig  Executive  Commiiiee  at  the 
Broadway  House,  the  subject  of  obtaining  funds  to  cany  the  Philadelphia  op- 
eration into  effect  was  discussed  by  Bowen,  myself,  and  others.  We  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  it  was  impossible  to  dispose  of  any  of  the  monies  collected 
for  the  General  Committee,  without  a  distinct  appropriation  of  ihat  committee, 
on  the  application  of  the  Executive  Committee  ;  and  such  an  appropriation  as 
we  required  would  excite  the  suspicion  of  the  members  of  the  committee  gener- 
ally. It  was  therefore  proposed  by  Mr.  Bowen  that  we  should  trust  iheproposed 
operation  to  Richard  M.  Bktchford  and  Simeon  Draper,  Jr.,  as  it  was  staled 
that  they  had  the  control  of  a  certain  fund,  to  disburse  as  they  thought 
proper,  and  Mr,  Bowen  considered  it  best  to  get  the  funds  from  this  source, 
rather  than  risk  the  matter  leaking  out,  by  asking  an  appropriation  from  the 
committee.  Mr.  Bowen  also  assigned  as  an  additional  reason  for  the  propri- 
ety of  the  course  suggested  by  him,  that  the  Executive  Committee  would  have 
to  ask  the  appropriation,  and  that  it  could  not  be  done  without  entrusting  eve- 
ry member  of  that  committee  with  ou-r  plan  ;  besides,  if  we  could  gel  three 
thousand  dollars,  or  any  part  of  this  amount,  from  them,  (Blatchford  and 
Draper)  then  the  General  Committee  could  appropriate  their  funds  to 
othe"*  purposes,  I  strenuously  opposed  entrusting  these  confidential  opera- 
tions to  persons  who  were  not  members  of  either  of  the  committees,  but  at 
length  yielded  to  Mr.  Bowen,  and  agreed  to  meet  him,  with  Messrs.  Blatch- 
ford and  Draper,  the  next  morning,  at  Mr.  Blatchford's  ofSce,  and  to  state 
my  views,  and  the  plan  of  the  contemplated  operation.  This  was  a  few^  days 
after  my  return  from  Philadelphia,  I  went  to  Mr.  Blatchford's  olSice,  pur- 
suant to  the  appointment,  and  met  Messrs.  Bowen,  Blatchford  and  Draper. 
They  appeared  to  be  acquainted  with  the  operation  generally  ;  and  when  I 
spoke  of  the  practicability  ot  the  scheme,  of  the  amount  of  votes  that  would 
thus  be  furn£i>hed  to  the  party,  rendering  the  election,  as  I  stated  to  them,  a 
matter  of  certainty,  they  agreed  to  furnish  the  funds  I  v/ould  require  to  con- 
summate the  arrangement.  We  talked  freely  upon  the  subject.  The  Execo- 
lire  Committee  consisted,  according  to  my  present  recollection,  of  James 
Bowen,  Chairman,  Robert  C.  Wetmore,  James  H.  Freeborn,  Samuel  R. 

Childs,  John  C.  Brant,  Chatterton,  Heman  W.  Childs,  EJgar  S.  Van 

Winkle,  one  or  two  others,  and  myself.  Willis  Hall,  the  present  Attorney 
General  of  the  State,  was  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee,  and,  ex-offi- 
cio,  a  member  of  the  subordinate  committees.  Edgar  S.  Van  Winkle  was 
Chairman  of  the  Corresponding  Committee.  I  was  the  Chairman  of  the  Fi- 
nance Comniittee,  and,  af  this  lime,  was  vary  much  occupied  with  the  other 
members  of  that  Committee  in  collecting  funds  for  the  approaching  election. 
The  Finance  Committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  W.  Disosway,  J,  K.  Mulford, 
and  Theodore  Draper,  Jr.  I  was  assisted  in  making  collections  by  H.  L. 
Pierson,  Robert  C.  Wetmore,  and  Henry  W.  Havens.  On  or  about  the  20th 
day  of  October,  1838, 1  returned  to  Philadelphia,  to  perfect  my  arrangements 
for  the  fall  election.  The  evening  before  I  left,  I  was  engaged  with  the  Ex- 
ccmive  Coramittee  until  after  11  o'clock.   During  that  evening,  Mr.  Richard 


6 


M.  Blatchford  called  twice  at  my  house  to  see  me,  but  not  finding  me  at 
home,  as  late  as  11  o'clock,  he  sent  a  letter  lo  me.  His  apparent  anxiety  to 
see  me,  and  his  sending  the  letter  at  so  late  an  hour,  created  some  suspicion 
in  the  minds  of  my  family,  and  it  was  opened  and  read  by  them.  The  letter 
urged  upon  me  by  no  means  to  delay  leaving  in  the  morning,  and  assured 
me  means  should  be  provided.  The  object  of  my  visit  to  Philadelphia 
was  known  positively  to  Messrs.  Bowen,  Blatchford,  Draper  and  Stvartwout, 
and  I  have  reason  to  believe  it  was  suspected  by  some  few  other  prominent 
members  of  the  party.  On  my  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  I  had  repeated  inter- 
views with  Young,  Miller,  and  others,  and  consummated,  as  far  as  I  was  en- 
abled to  do,  my  arrangements.  On  the  first  day  of  November,  at  about  mid- 
right,  I  received  a  letter  by  the  hands  of  William  A.  Ford,  of  the  city  of 
New-York,  who  at  that  time  was  employed  as  clerk  in  the  Whig  Committee 
Iloom  in  Broad  street,  which  I  have  no  doub:  was  from  James  Bowen.  I 
come  to  this  conclusion  from  the  fact,  that  I  had  agreed  with  Messrs.  Bowen, 
that  the  fictitious  name  of  W.  Scott  should  be  used  by  him  in  our 
correspondeiice,  if  any  was  necessary,  and  the  letter  brought  me  by 
Mr.  Ford  was  so  signed.  Mr.  Ford  left  New- York  at  five  o'clock,  and 
arrived  at  about  midnight.  I  had  not  retired:  I  was  waiting  the  arrival  ©f 
the  cars  from  New-York.  I  felt  some  anxiety  to  receive  the  funds,  as  it  was 
within  a  few  days  of  the  election.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter 
received  by  the  hand  of  William  A.  Ford— the  original  of  which  is  now  in 
my  possession  :— 

"  Thursday  Afternoon. 
"D'r  G.— We  were  a  good  deal  alarmed,  this  morning,  to  find  that  your  vi- 
sit to  Philadelphia  was  suspected  here,  and  was  talked  of  in  the  street.  For 
your  own  sake,  as  well  as  ours,  you  must  stop  short  where  you  are.  The  en- 
closed will  enable  you  to  meet  your  engagements,  as  far  as  you  have  gone  ; 
and  you  had  better  return  and  show  yourself  here  as  soon  as  you  possibly  can. 

Yours,  truly,  (S:c.  &c, 

W.  SCOTT." 

"  The  bearer  knows  nothing." 

This  letter  enclosed,  I  think,  $500,  to  pay  what  expsnses  I  had  already  in-  • 
curred.  My  arrangements  had  been  made;  and,  from  the  character  of  the 
men  who  had  been  engaged  for  the  purpose  of  coming  to  the  city  of  New- 
York  to  vote,  I  was  satisfied  that,  if  they  did  not  receive  the  compensation 
stipulated,  the  whole  matter  would  become  public;  and  that,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, the  safely  of  the  party  required  that  the  arrangements  I  had  made 
should  be  carried  into  effect.  With  this  view,  I  determined  to  return  imme- 
diately to  New-York,  and  so  staled  lo  Mr.  Ford,  at  the  same  time  requesting 
him  to  take  the  Camden  and  Amboy  line,  in  order  that  we  might  not  be  seen 
together,  as  I  intendul  to  take  the  other  route.  I  started  the  next  morning, 
and  arrived  in  New- York  about  half-past  two  o'clock,  and  went  to  the  com- 
mittee room  in  Broad  street,  and  from  thence  to  the  office  of  Mr.  Blatchford. 
I  did  not  find  him  in.  The  next  morning  I  had  an  interview  with  Messrs. 
Bowen,  Blatchford  and  Draper.  1  think  I  saw  Mr,  Bowen  first.  He  inform- 
ed me  that  he  was  fearful  the  whole  matter  would  be  discovered;  that  Red- 
wood Fisker,  and  some  others,  had  been  speaking  of  it  in  the  street ;  that 


7 


tKere  was  also  a  want  of  funds ;  that  sufficient  conld  not  be  procured  from  the 
source  we  had  depended  upon,  when  we  had  the  interview,  which  1  have 
heretofore  named,  with  Messrs.  Blatchford,  Draper  and  Bowen.    At  the  in- 
terview at  Mr.  Blatchford's  office,  the  same  reasons  were  advanced— a  fear 
of  discovery,  and  a  want  of  funds.    After  considerable  conversation  on  the 
subject,  in  which  I  slated  the  reasons  which,  in  my  op.inion,  required  us  to 
go  on  aud  complete  the  operation,  it  was  finally  determined  between  us  to 
make  an  effort  to  raise  the  funds  necessary  for  that  purpose,  and  to  meet  at 
Mr.  Draper's  house  that  evening  :  I  think  ten  o'clock  was  the  hour  appointed. 
It  was  agreed  that  I  should  call  ou  the  persons  nominated  for  the  Assembly, 
by  the  whig  party,  and  collect  all  I  could  from  them  and  others.  Messrs. 
Blatchford,  Draper  and  Bowen  agreed  to  use  their  efforts  tor  thesame  purpose. 
At  my  solicitation,  Henry  W.  Havens  accompanied  me  during  the  after- 
noon and  evening,  in  a  hack,  to  make  collections.    We  succeeded  in  collect- 
ing, according  to  my  present  recollection,  between  three  and  four  hundred 
dollars.   Mr.  Havens  remained  with  me  until  nearly  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening.    We  called  on  Alderman  Zabriskie,  Stephen  Potter,  Alfred  Car- 
hart,  and  others,    I  left  Mr.  Havens  somewhere  in  the  upper  part  of  Broad- 
"way,  and  went  to  Mr,  Bowen's  house.    He  then  resided  in  Broadway,  a  fev/ 
doors  above  Leonard  street.    I  found  him  at  home;  and,  after  some  conver- 
sation on  the  subject,  we  went  together  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Simeon  Draper, 
Jr.,  in  Warren  street,  near  Broadway.   We  were  then  informed  that  Mr.  D. 
was  at  the  house  of  Mr.  William  Samuel  Johnson,  which  was  almost  direct- 
ly opposite.    We  wen!  to  Mr.  Johnson's,  and  Mr.  Bowen  inquired  for  Mr. 
Draper.   He  was  there,  and  we  went  into  the  house,   Mr.  Bowen  want  up 
stairs  into  the  parlor,  and  I  remained  in  the  front  basement,  which  was  that 
evening  used  as  a  depository  for  the  cloaks  and  hats  of  the  company.  There 
was  a  meeting  of  the  Kent  Club  there  that  evening,  as  I  was  informed.  I 
saw  several  gentlemen  in  the  room.   I  recollect  Mr.  William  H,  Harrison. 
1  think  I  engaged  in  conversation  with  him;  also  Mr.  George  W.  Gibbs 
and  David  B,  Ogden,  Esq.   After  I  had  waited  about  ten  minutes,  Messrs. 
Bowen,  Blatchford  and  Draper  came  down,  and  we  al!  went  to  the  house  of 
the  latter.   We  went  into  the  back  room  of  the  rear  building.   A  conversa- 
tion immediately  commenced  in  relation  to  my  success  in  making  collections, 
and  the  amount  I  required  to  be  made  up.  In  a  short  time,  Mr.  Bowen  left.  At 
about  half-past  eleven  o'clock,  and  before  our  arrangements  were  completed, 
Messrs.  George  S.  Doughty  and  Redwood  Fisher  called  at  the  house.  They 
went  into  the  front  parlor ;  Mr.  Draper  went  in  to  see  them,  and  Mr.  Blatch- 
ford also.   Mr.  Draper  returned  in  a  few  moments,  and  we  completed  our  ar- 
rangements as  to  the  funds.   I  received  all  that  I  required,  and  handed  to  Mr. 
Simeon  Draper  the  checks  that  I  had  collected,  and  received  from  him  his 
draft,  at  sight,  on  Mr.  William  Gill,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  which, 
with  what  I  had  in  cash,  amounted  to  between  two  and  three  thousand  dol- 
lars.  I  went  into  the  parlor,  and  saw  General  Doughty,  and  Mr.  Redwood 
Fisher,  and  ascertained  that  the  object  of  their  visit  was  to  return  a  check  of 
three  hundred  dollars,  which  had  been  given  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Birdsall,  to 
secure  the  services  of  Martin  E.  Waters,  of  the  Sixth  Ward,  which  appropria- 
tion was  solicited  by  Mr.  Birdsall,  of  Mr.  Fisher  and  myself,  for  that  purpose, 


8 


some  time  previous,  and  approved  of.  The  check  was  returned  in  conse* 
quence  of  some  remark  which  Mr,  Blatchford  had  made  in  relation  to  the 
misapplication  of  funds,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Birdsall,  to  which  Mr.  Bird- 
sail  had  taken  exception.  Mr.  Blatchford  made  a  satisfactory  explanation, 
and  the  check  was  retained  by  Doughty  and  Fisher,  to  be  returned  to  Mr. 
Birdsall.  I  left  the  house  of  Mr.  Draper,  with  Mr.  Blatchford,  Mr.  Fisher, 
and  General  Doughty,  with  a  perfect  understanding  that  I  was  to  go  to  Phi- 
ladelphia and  carry  out  the  before  named  plan,  "We  all  resided  in  the  same 
neighborhood,  and  rode  up  in  a  hack  from  Mr.  Draper's  house :  it  was  rain- 
ing. I  left  for  Philadelphia  the  next  morning,  and  arrived  there  about  three 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  went  to  the  United  States  Hotel.  I  called  immediately 
on  Colonel  Swift.  I  told  him  that  I  wanted  to  see  Young  and  Miller  that 
evening.  He  said  that  he  would  notify  them  and  that  they  should  be  directed 
to  meet  me  at  the  house  of  Mr.  George  Riston.  After  leaving  the  house  of 
Colonel  Swiff,  I  went  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Wm.  Gill,  on  whom  I  had  the 
draft  for  the  money,  and  was  informed  that  he  had  gone  to  the  Falls  of  the 
Schuylkill,  and  would  not  return  until  evening.  At  about  six  o'clock,  I  again 
called  at  Mr.  Gill's  house.  At  this  time  I  saw  him,  and  presented  the  draft. 
He  said  that  he  had  not  the  amount  in  the  house,  and  that  it  was  impossible 
(it  being  Sunday)  to  arrange  it  until  bank  hours  the  next  day.  I  then  re- 
quested him  to  give  me  his  check,  or  checks,  daled  the  next  day,  which  be 
did,  drawn,  I  think  on  the  Bank  of  the  U.  States.  Mr,  David  Dorrance,  of  the 
United  States  Hotel,  cashed  one  of  the  checks,  and  the  other,  I  think,  was 
cashed  by  Mr,  Geo.Riston,  at  the  same  place— though  of  this  I  am  not  positive. 
I  recollect  that  I  declined  receiving  Baltimore  funds  from  a  gentleman  at  the 
hotel,  who,  I  presume,  had  been  solicited  to  cash  one  of  the  checks  for  me. 
Between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  that  evening,  I  went  to  Mr.  George  Riston'a 
to  meet  Young  and  Miller,  and  there  had  a  private  interview  with  Young,and 
paid  him  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight  dollars,  lor  which  I  took  his  receipt. 
At  the  same  time  and  place,  I  had  an  interview  with  Miller,  and  paid  him 
five  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,  and  took  his  receipt  for  the  same.  The  busi- 
ness was  done  in  the  back  parlor,  the  folding  doors  being  closed.  They 
agreed  to  send  on  the  men,  on  the  terms  before  stated.  I  paid  them  separate- 
ly, no  person  being  present.  The  men  were  to  leave  by  the  diflferent  lines,  at 
seven,  nine  and  five  o'clock,  the  next  day,  with  instructions  to  report  to  Noah 
Cook,  at  National  Hall,  Canal  street,  and  some  others,  I  think,  at  his  place  of 
business,  on  the  corner  af  Broad  and  Water  streets.  Noah  Cook  was  at  this 
time  one  of  the  whig  candidates  for  the  Assembly,  from  the  city  of  New- 
York.  After  my  return,  I  was,  during  the  whole  three  days  of  the  election, 
almost  constantly  occupied  in  the  private  Committee  room  at  National  Hall. 
Marshall  O.  Roberts  ofihe  Fith  Ward,  Cook  of  the  Sixth  Ward,  John 
Faulkner  of  the  Seventh  Ward,  Gedney  of  the  Eighth  Ward,  and  soma  others, 
whose  names  I  do  not  now  recollect,  assisted  us  in  our  operations,  by  taking 
charge  of  the  men,  and  seeing  that  they  were  properly  disposed  oi  in  theiir 
respective  wards,  and  enabled  to  put  in  their  votes,  Bowen,  Blatch- 
ford and  Draper,  and  some  other  prominent  members  of  the  party,  were  ad- 
mitted into  the  private  Committee  room,  where  the  men  were  drilled  prepar- 
atory to  tlieir  going  out  to  vole.   The  modus  operandi  was  wilnesied  by  the 


gentlemen  named,  and  afforded  them  much  amusement.  In  this  room,  I  saw 
Mr.  Blatcbford  hand  Noah  Cook  some  money. 

To  most  of  the  mea  a  slip  oi  paper  was  given,  with  the  name  and  residence 
they  were  to  assume  written  upon  it.  The  residences,  in  some  instances, 
were  furnished  by  leading  members  of  the  party-from  the  different  wards, 
and  were  such  as  would  not  be  likely  to  excite  suspicion.  They  were  prin- 
cipally, I  believe,  boarding-houses,  and  such  houses  as  were  occupied  by  a 
number  of  families.  The  men  were  thoroughly  drilled:  many  of  them,  it 
was  represented,  were  old  hands,  and  understood  their  business. 

The  method  adopted  was  as  follows:  the  men  were  placed  in  a  row, 
and,  as  before  stated,  a  piece  of  paper,  with  assumed  name  and  resi- 
dence, was  given  to  them,  the  usual  questions  asked  by  the  Inspectors,  as  to 
qualifications,  were  put  to  them  repeatedly,  until  they  could  answer  satis- 
factorily, and  without  embarrassment.  Frequently  alterations  were  made 
among  the  men  during  the  election,  by  changing  hats  and  coats  among 
themselves.  I  recollect  there  were  some  persons  from  New- Jersey,  who 
were  under  the  immediate  charge  of  Noah  Cook.  I  do  not  know  by 
whom  they  were  employed  or  on  what  terms  they  were  there  ;  they  appeared 
very  efficient,  and  frequently  changed  their  dress — which  changes  v)cre  per- 
sonally attended  to  by  Noah  Cook.  I  saw  him  put  his  own  hat  and  coat  on 
some  of  them  several  times.  These  men  boasted  oi  having  voted  in  several 
of  the  different  wards,  and  in  some  instances  mora  than  once  in  the  same 
v/ard.  Daring  the  Fall  election  of  J8S8,  Mr.  William  A.  Lawrence,  and 
Jonathan  Nathan,  assisted  in  the  upper  private  Committee  room  at  National 
Hall,  in  erasing  the  n^mes  from  the  democratic  tickets,  and  substituting  the 
names  of  the  whig  candidates,  which  tickets  were  used  by  the  persons  who 
were  drilled  as  aforesaid.  There  was  also  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Cog- 
gershall,  whose  father  was  at  that  time,  or  subsequently,  the  keeper  of  the  City 
Prison,  who  was  aiso  employed  in  preparing  tickets.  There  was  a  difficulty 
with  some  of  the  men,  ia  consequence  of  apart  ef  their  money  being  retain- 
ed by  the  leader  or  leaders ;  and  at  the  instance,  and  with  the  advice  of  Messrs. 
Lawrence  and  Nathan,  I  paid  them,  to  defray  their  expenses  to  Philadelphia, 
one  hundred  and  ninet3'-four  dollars,  which  amount,  less  some  small  sub- 
scriptions, was  returned  to  me,  a  few  days  after  the  election,  by  Mr.  Richd.  M. 
Blatchford.  During  the  three  days  of  the  election,  many  of  the  active  mem- 
bers of  the  whig  party  were  admitted  to  the  private  committee  room.  I 
was  perfectly  satisfied,  from  the  successful  management  of  the  operation,  that 
the  whig  ticket  would  be  elected  in  the  city,  and  I  so  expressed  myself  to  a 
number  of  the  leaders  of  the  party. 

After  the  result  of  the  election  in  the  state  was  knov/n,  I  was  repeatedly  so- 
licited by  many  prominent  members  of  the  whig;  party  to  take  office.  The  of- 
fice of  Commissary  General,  Adjutant  General,  Flour  Inspector,  and  others, 
were  named,  which  I  declined.  The  appointment  of  Tobacco  Inspector  had 
never  been  suggested  to  me.  I  was  informed  that  the  term  of  the  then  incum- 
bent did  not  expire  nntil  th:-  wint^^  of  1810,  a  year  after  the  election  of  Gov 
ernor  Ssward.  The  subject  of  the  resignation  of  Mr.  J.  D.  Stevenson  was 
first  suggested  to  me  by  Mr,  Robert  C.  Wetmore.  I  met  Mr.  Stevenson  and 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Pierce,  by  appointment,  al  the  store  of  said  Wetmore. 

2 


10 


I  had  previously  conversed  with  General  Prosper  M.  Wetmore  oa  th4 
practicability  of  this  arrangement.  The  result  of  this  interview  india- 
ced  me  to  consult  some  of  my  party  friends  as  to  the  propriety  of  ma- 
king an  effort  to  secure  the  office  one  year  in  advance  of  its  expiration. 
Among  those  whom  I  consulted,  I  recollect  Messrs.  R.  M.  Blatchford,  James 
Bowen,  Chandler  Starr,  and  Simeon  Draper,  Jr.,  ail  of  whom,  with  the  ex- 
ception ol  the  last  named,  considered  it  best  to  make  the  effort  to  obtain  the 
appointment,  for  my  own  sake  as  well  as  for  the  interests  of  the  party,  and 
promised  their  co-operation  in  effecting  that  object.  We  had  a  meeting  on 
the  subject  at  the  store  of  Mr.  Draper,  at  which  meeting  R.  M.  Blatchford, 
Chandler  Starr,  Simeon  Draper,  Jr.,  James  Bowen  and  Robert  C.  Wetmore 
were  present.  After  this  interview,  about  the  10th  of  January,  1839,  I  visited 
Albany.  R.  M.  Blatchford,  Moses  H.  Grinnell,  James  Bowen,  Simeon  Dra- 
per, Jr.  and  Chandler  Starr  left,  I  think,  on  the  same  morning  for  Albany, 
by  the  river  route.  I  went  by  the  way  of  New  Haven.  After  my  arrival  in 
Albany  I  was  introduced  to  Governor  Seward  by  Mr.  Blatchford,  and  de- 
livered him  a  letter  of  recommendation,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

New  York,  January  11th,  1839. 

To  his  Excellency  William  H.  Seward, 

Governor,  &c.  &c. 

Dear  Sir— This  will  be  handed  you  by  my  personal  friend,  Mr.  James  B. 
Glentworih,  of  this  city,  who  although  not  personally  known  to  your  Excel- 
lency, will,  I  doubt  not,  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  ardent  and  indefatiga- 
ble pariizans,  to  whose  untiring  exertions,  perhaps  more  than  to  any  other  in 
this  city,  the  recent  triumph  of  our  party  and  success  of  sound  principles  may 
be  attributed.  He  will  explain  to  you  personally  his  wishes,  and  hand  you, 
at  the  same  time,  letters  recommending  him  to  your  consideration.  In 
conclusion,  I  must  be  allowed  to  say  that  I  consider  it  as  a  mere  act  of  justice 
to  this  gentleman  to  state,  that  there  is  no  person  from  this  district  who  can 
present  the  same  character  of  aiaim  for  office  upon  the  party,  and  I  shall  feel 
myself  as  personally  gratified  if  theyshou:d  meet  the  favorable  consideration 
of  your  Excellency. 

With  great  regard, 

Your  Excellency's  ob't  serv't 

R.  C.  WETMORE. 

I  had  another  very  strong  letter  to  the  Governor,  but  whether  I  gave  it  then 
or  sent  it  previous  to  my  visit  to  Albany,  or  delivered  it  at  all,  I  cannot  now 
recollect.  This  letter  was  signed  by  only  a  few  influential  party  men,  and  I 
think  no  names  were  signed  to  it  except  Messrs.  Blatchford,  Grinnell,  Bow- 
en, Draper,  Starr  and  Wetmore.  I  recollect  distinctly  of  Mr.  Wetmore's 
handing  rae  the  letter,  al^ter  he  had  procured  Mr.  Grinnell's  signature.  The 
reason  why  the  lettei  .may  not  have  been  used  is  the  fad  that  the  gentlemen 
who  signed  it  were  there  to  urge  my  claims  in  person,  except  Mr.  Wetmore. 
That  they  were  all  in  the  city  of  Albany,  and  put  up  together  at  the  Eigle 
Tavern,  will  appear  by  the  register.  Their  names  are  entered  on  the  lOth  day 
of  January,  1839.  During  an  interview  which  I  had  with  Governor  Seward, 
he  remarked  that  I  was  act  an  applicant  for  the  office  of  Tobacco  Inspector, 
and  sag  jested  my  making  lh»  application  in  writing,  which  I  immediately 


11 


complied  with.  Mr.  Stevenson  drew  his  resignation  and  placed  it  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  R.  M.  Blatchford,  with  a  perfect  understacding  that  I  was  to  be  nomi- 
nated in  his  place.  It  will  be  remen:bered  that  the  Governor  was  much  em- 
barrassed at  this  time  in  the  confirmation  of  his  nominations  by  the  Senate,  a 
majority  of  that  body  beifig:  opposed  to  him  in  politics.  The  subject  of  Mr. 
Stevenson's  resignation  and  my  appointment  was  kept  perfectly  quiet,  and  it 
was  supposed  by  us  that  the  Governor  only  waited  the  action  of  the  Senate  up- 
on some  of  the  notiiinations  then  before  them,  and  that  when  they  were  dispo- 
sed of,  my  nomination  would  be  sent  in.  There  were  rumors  afloat  that  Thur- 
low  "Weed  was  opposed  to  my  having  the  appointment,  and  that  he  had  an 
agreement  with  Mr.  Charles  Oakley,  by  the  terms  of  which  he,  Mr.  Weed, 
was  to  raceivefive  thousand  dollars  if  he  procured  the  ofBce  for  him  at  the  ex- 
piration of  Mr,  Stevenson's  term.  Whether  there  v^as  any  foundation  for 
these  rumors  I  had  no  means  of  ascertaining  positively,  but  in  consequence  of 
them  Mr.  Stevenson  became  dissatisfied;  and  his  suspicions  were  increased 
by  the  fact  that  my  nomination  was  delayed,  and  he  stated  to  some  of  the  dele- 
gation, and  to  myself,  that  he  believed  there  was  a  design  on  the  part  of  Weed 
and  the  Governor  to  use  unfairness  in  relation  to  the  appointment.  Previous 
to  this  time,  Messrs.  Blatchford,  Grinnell,  Bowen,  Draper  and  Starr  had  re- 
turned to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  Mr.  Stevenson's  resignation  was  placed 
by  Mr.  Blatchford  in  the  hands  of  Noah  Cook,  without  his  knowledge  or  con- 
sent. Mr.  Stevenson  was  alarmed  and  dissatisfied  with  Mr.  Blatchford  for 
entrusting  it  with  Cook,  as  were  also  some  of  our  delegation,  who  thought  Mr. 
Cook  was  exercising  mere  influence  with  Governor  Seward  in  relation  to  the 
city  appointments  than  his  merits  entitled  him  to. 

Mr.  Stevenson  and  myself  stayed  at  Congress  Hall,  and  we  were  in  daily 
confidential  intercourse  with  the  members  of  the  delegation  and  other  promi- 
nent persons  of  our  party  who  were  at  that  house.  Of  the  number  was  a  gen- 
tleman connected  with  the  press  of  this  city,  of  high  character  and  attain- 
ments, and  who  I  have  reason  to  know  was  cognizant  of  the  arrangement  be- 
tween Mr.  Stevenson  and  myself.  This  gentleman  has  since  become  satis- 
fied that  the  pledges  of  Governor  Seward  were  "  but  as  a  sounding  brass  and 
tinkling  cymbal." 

My  nomination  was  made  to  the  Senate  on  the  19th  of  February,  1839,  -and 
I  believe  unanimously  confirmed.  On  the  day  of  ray  appointment.  Governor 
Seward  desired,  through  Mr.  Lyman, (the  agent  or  engineer  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road Company,)  that  the  delegation  would  address  a  letter  to  him  recommend- 
ing me  to  this  appointment.  The  request  was  immediately  complied  with, 
every  whig  member  from  the  first  Senate  District,  and  every  member  of  the 
Assembly  from  the  city  of  New  York,  signing  the  same.  I  then  returned 
home  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  my  office.  I  had  many  applications  for 
the  subordinate  situations  under  my  control,  which,  from  the  nature  of  my  arrange- 
ments, I  could  not  gram.  Much  (iissatisfaction  wa3  expressed  by  my  party  friends, 
in  consequence  of  my  retaining  those  adverse  to  us  in  politics,  and  rumors  were 
rife  that  I  had  compromised  myself  and  the  interests  of  the  party.  I  could  make 
no  explanations,  and  was  compelled  to  listen  to  their  reproaches.  The  spring  elec- 
tion was  near  at  hand,  and  this  probably  kept  some  of  them  in  check.    I  still  eon- 


linued  a  member  of  tbe  loung  Men's  General  Committer,  auhongh,  after  liquida* 
ting  the  liabilities  wbich  we  had  incurred,  and  which  were  of  considerable  amount, 
I  resigned  as  Chairman  of  the  Finance  Committee. 

The  whig  papers  of  the  city  of  New  York  approved  of  my  appointnient,  with 
the  exception  of  the  American,  as  the  following  extracts,  which,  having  at  hand,  I 
insert,  will  show  : 

'•It  will  be  seen  by  an  advertisement  in  another  column  that  Mr.  James  B. 
Glentworth  has  been  appointed  Tobacco  Inspecter  for  this  city.  The  appoint- 
ment is  highly  judicious,  and  cannot  fail  to  give  general  satisfaction  to  the  mer- 
cantile community.  He  has  secured  the  services  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Pearce  as  his 
deputy — formerly  United  States  Consul  at  Bremen,  and  for  many  years  extensively 
engaged  in  the  tobacco  trade." 

"  Among  the  appointments  recently  made  at  Albany,  is  that  uf  Mr.  J.  B.  Glent- 
worth, Tobacco  Inspector  of  this  city — an  office,  th*?  duties  of  which,  we  doubt  not, 
he  will  discharge  with  fidelity  and  perfect  satisfaction  to  the  public.  It  will  be 
seen  by  his  advertisement,  that  he  has  employed  a  gontloman  of  high  character  and 
long  experience  in  tbe  business  to  assise  him,  which  will  secure  a  faithful  and 
judicious  discharge  of  the  duties  required." 

Thus  ended  the  campaign  of  1838,  and  such,  so  far  as  related  to  myself,  at  that 
rime,  were  its  results. 

The  success  of  our  fraudulent  operaiions  in  1838  had  been  of  such  a  char- 
acter, and  produced  such  results,  as  to  warrant,  ai  least,  the  attempt  to  bring 
the  same  influence  to  bear  upon  the  spring  election  of  1839.    In  the  early  part 
of  March  of  this  year,  the  matter  was  again  suggested  to  me.   It  was  at  this 
time  the  decided  and  expressed  opinioa  of  some  of  the  leaders  ol  the  whig 
party  in  this  city,  that  we  must  be  defeated  at  the  approaching  charter  elec- 
tion.   Much  anxiety  was  felt  and  expressed  on  the  subject ;  the  importance 
of  our  success  canvassed and,  fiaally,  it  resulted  in  a  direct  proposition  to 
me  to  carry  out  the  Philadelphia  operation  again.    This  I  peremptorily  de- 
clined, alleging,  among  other  reasons,  that  I  was  filling  an  important  office; 
that  I  had  previously  been  suspected  and  charged  with  unfair  management  by 
some  ot  the  papers  of  the  other  party,  and  that,  under  3uch  circumsisnces,  I 
would  be  closely  watched.    These  leasons,  independent  of  any  moral  obli- 
gation, which  alone  should  have  been  sufficient  to  have  checked  any  further 
solicitation  of  me  to  aid  again  in  the  perpetration  of  frauds  upon  the  eleclive 
franchise,  were  disregarded.    We  had  succeeded  before,  and  exposure  had 
not  followed.    We  were  elated  with  the  success  produced  by  that  operation, 
and  anticipated  the  like  success  and  gratification,  if  we  again  resort«d  to  the 
tame  means  to  obtain  it.    It  was  contended  that  I  was  under  obligations  to  the 
parly;  that  no  one  was  acquainted  with  the  ^men  in  Pniladelphia  whom  it 
would  be  necessary  to  employ;  and  also,  that  it  would  be  unsafe  to  entrust 
the  matter  to  any  other  persi)ri.    I  was  also  urged  to  embark  in  the  operation 
as  a  matter  of  interest  to  myself.    It  was  slated  to.be  ray  duty  to  take  a  more 
active  and  decisive  part  in  favor  of  the  party.    It  was  also  alleged  that  the 
committee  and  others  were  dis.saii.sfied  with  me,  from  the  fact  that  I  had  not 
been  as  active  as  I  was  previous  to  my  appointment  to  office.    TTic  mor^il  tnr- 


18 


pitude  ofthi  transaction  was  wsver  mentioned.  We  acltd  upon  this  principle, 
"all  is  fair  in  politics,"  I  however  consented  to  give  the  proposition  my 
consideration.  A  short  time  after  ray  attention  was  called  to  the  subject,  and, 
according  to  my  present  recoUeciion,  on  the  same  dsy,  I  saw  Mr.  Jas.  Bowen, 
and  conversed  with  him  in  relation  to  it.  The  result  of  tny  interview  with 
him  awoke  again  all  my  party  fseling  and  party  prid?,  and  1  decided  to  em- 
bark once  more  in  a  transaction  which  I  shall  never  cease  to  regret.  I  agreed 
to  go  to  Philadelphia  and  make  the  arrangements  for  the  men,  but  with  the 
express  stipulation  that  I  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  them  in  New  York  ; 
that  committees  or  persons  must  be  selected  to  take  charge  of  and  superintend 
their  operations.  I  had  frequent  conversations  on  the  subject  of  selecting  pro- 
per persons  to  manage  the  men  after  they  should  arrive  in  the  city.  It  was 
concluded  that  it  would  be  the  most  effective  to  divide  the  men  into  small  par- 
ties, and  I  named  several  as  proper  persons  to  take  charge  of  them.  Among 
these  mentioned  I  recollect  the  names  cf  ?.  McArdle,  J.  F.  Raymond,  Zenos 
Wheeler ;  but  at  the  sanae  tirag  I  stated  that  Noah  Cook  was  the  only  person 
competent  to  be  entrusted  with  the  entire  management  of  the  men,  for  the  rea- 
son that  he  had  experience  in  the  business,  having  participated  largely  in  the 
affair  of  1838.  I  was  also  to  bo  freed  from  all  responsibility  in  procuring  per- 
sons to  superintend  the  operations  of  the  men  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

About  the  20ih  of  March,  1839, 1  went  to  Philadelphia  to  make  the  arrange- 
ments for  the  men,  similar  to  those  made  by  me  in  the  fall  of  the  year  1838.  I 
called  on  Colonel  Sv/ifc,  (the  mayor  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,)  at  his  office, 
and  was  introduced  by  him  to  Recorder  Rush.  It  was  election  day.  Colonel 
S.  informed  me  that  he  and  the  police  had  been  on  duty  most  or  all  of  the  pre- 
ceding day  ;  that  he  had  a  large  force  in  the  room  adjoining  his  ofSce,  to  be 
used  in  case  of  necessity.  On  my  arrival  I  im.mediately  commenced  making 
arrangements.  I  saw  Miller,  Saunders,  Svvint,  Thornton,  and  others.  Mr. 
Bela  Badger  called  on  me  in  company  with  Mr.  J.  D.  Wolfe,  of  the  Northern 
Liberties,  and  'introduced  him  to  rae.  I  also  saw  some  of  our  political  friends 
from  Southwark.  I  was  invited  to  attend  a  caucus  to  be  held  at  Mr.  Badger's 
house.  I  went,  and  met  some  ten  or  fifteen  gentlemen.  The  object,  as  I  un- 
derstood, was  to  submit  the  whole  subject  to  them,  and  to  make  such  arrange- 
ments to  carry  the  same  into  effect  as  might  be  determined  upon.  Mr.  Bad- 
ger, after  introducing  me,  remarked  that  I  was  among  the  "  bone  and  sinew" 
of  the  Third  District,  and  that  I  might  speak  out  without  reserve  ;  that  they 
were  all  good  and  true  men.  This  was  the  substance,  and,  according  to  my 
recollection,  the  exact  language  used  by  him  on  that  occasion.  I  stated  to 
ihem,  briefly,  the  object  of  my  visit  to  Philadelphia,  and  asked  their  co  opera- 
tion. This  they  agreed  to,  and  left  it,  vviih  Mr.  Badger,  to  arrange  directly 
with  me  for  the  force  I  would  require  from  the  Norihern  Liberties.  A  day 
or  two  after  my  arrival  I  received  the  following  note  from  James  Young : 
Mr.  Glentworth  : 

Sir— I  have  gone  to  Baltimore,  and  will  be  at  home  on  Saturday  next. — 
Every  thing  is  right.  If  you  have  any  thing  to  say  to  me  yeu  can  leave  it  in  a 
letter  at  the  Mayor's  office,  or  in  the  care  of  Mr.  Gibbs,  who  will  take  good 
care  of  it. 

Yours  in  haste,  JAMES  YOUNG. 

Philadelphia,  23d  March,  1839. 
Mr.  Glentworth,  U.  S.  Hotel.  ^ 


14 


After  progressing  with  my  arrangements  as  far  as  I  considered  advisable,  I 
returned  to  New  York  on  the  30  h  of  March.  I  few  days  after  my  return  t 
received  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Bela  Badger: 

Philadelphia,  April  2nd,  1839. 

Dear  Sir— It  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  send  you  a  bill  of  lading  at  this 
time  for  your  yarn.  I  find  more  difficulty  in  getting  your  order  ready  than  I 
anticipated.  I  think,  however,  the  order  can  be  completed  in  lime  to  an- 
swer your  purpose,  but  I  cannot  send  the  bill  yet.  The  terms  of  pay- 
ment you  propose  will  likewise  be  an  objection.  My  partners  are  not  wil- 
ling to  serve  you  on  any  better  terms  than  what  they  charged  you  before,  and 
the  same  credit.  I  think,  on  t  he  whv:)le,  if  you  were  here  in  person  you  could 
do  batter,  and  as  the  order  is  of  some  in.portance,  I  would  recommend  you  to 
do  so  without  delay.  If  you  should  come  on  this  week,  please  ascertain,  pre- 
vious to  leaving,  to  whom  ihe  goods  are  to  be  conaigned  in  your  absence,  a«  I 
may  wi^h  to  ship  some  of  ihera  before  your  return. 

With  much  respect,  your  ob't  servant, 

GEORGE  W.  RHAWN, 

293  North-second  street. 

This  letter  was  addressed  to  Mr.  G.  A.  Wilkins,  No.  17  Broad  s-treet,  New- 
York,  and  I  presume  at  my  suggestion,  as  I  was  a  partner,  at  that  time,  in 
the  house  of  Messrs.  Wilkins,  Rollins  &  Co.  The  assuming  of  the  name  of 
George  W.  Rhawn,  and  this  mode  of  correspondence,  was  suggested 
by  Mr.  Badger,  and  acquiesced  in  by  me.  A  few  days  after  the  re- 
ceipt of  this  letter,  I  went  to  Philadelphia  again.  Immediately  af- 
ter my  arrival,  I  saw  Mr.  Badger,  and  others,  who  were  interest 
ed  in  aiding  in  carrring  out  my  plans.  I  had  repeated  interviews  with  h>m, 
and  others,  at  this  time  and  previously,  at  my  rooms  at  the  United  States  Ho- 
tel, and  at  other  places.  At  one  of  these  interviews,  it  was  suggested  by  Mr. 
Badger  that  I  should  employ  some  of  Mr.  Robert  Looney's  men,  in  place  of 
Ihosefurnishedby  James  Young,  and  others,  from  the  city  proper.  He  in- 
formed me  of  some  of  Mr.  Looney's  political  operations,  and  said  he  consi- 
dered the  men  he  could  furnish  would  be  more  efficient.  Mr.  Looney,  I  think, 
was  represented  as  a  plumber,  who  was  employed  to  do  the  work  for  the  Cor- 
poration of  the  citj  of  Philadelphia,  and  had  a  great  many  men  at  his  dispo- 
sal. I  was  introduced  by  Mr.  Badger  to  Mr.  Looney,  at  the  residence  of 
the  latter,  and  I  immediately  communicated  to  him  the  object  of  my  visit. 
He  said  considerable  about  his  confidential  party  services,  some  of  which 
were  certainly  very  singular ;  and  during  the  conversation,  he  occasionally 
appealed  to  Mr.  Badger  for  a  confirmatioa  of  his  statements.  I  made  up  my 
mind  to  employ  him.  I  paid  Mr.  Looney  seven  hundred  dollars  on  account, 
at  Evans's  Hotel,  in  r<;orge  streci.  I  met  him  at  this  place  in  pursuance  of  an 
appointment  made  between  him  and  Mr  Badger.  Mr.  Badger  and  myself 
arrived  first,  went  into  a  private  room,  and  were  soon  joined  by  Mr.  Looney. 
He  furnished  me  with  a  list  of  thirty-five  or  forty  names,  from  which  some 
four  or  five  were  erased.  These  men,  I  think,  were  furnished  at  twcnty-fiva 
dollars  each  ;  all  the  rest  were  furnished  at  thirty  dollars  each.  Mr.  Badger 
WM  prcBcnt  when  I  made  the  payment  to  Mr.  Looney. 

On  the  8th  day  of  April,  1839,  I  received  the  following  Utter  : 


15 


New- York,  April  7th,  1839. 

Dear  G. — I  shall  not  be  able  to  come,  or  send  the  requisite,  this  P.  M.  or  to- 
morrow morning,  bat  you  may  depend  upon  seeing  me  at  12  M.  Monday  night, 
with  all  you  have  asked.  Go  on,  and  make  your  arrangements,  on  that  ba- 
sis—not calculating  on  any  earlier  period  for  your  return  than  Tuesday,  7  and 
8  A.  M.,  with  all  we  shall  look  for. 

Yours,  &c.  W.  C.  SCOTT. 

James  B.  Glentworth.  Esq.,  Marshall  House. 

This  letter,  which  is  now  in  my  possession,  is  in  the  hand  writing  of  Henry 
W.  Havens.  Mr.  Havens  was  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Whig  Young; 
Men's  General  Committee  at  that  time. 

Previous  to  my  leaving  for  Philadelphia,  I  was  given  to  understand  that 
money  suflacient  to  cancel  all  my  engagements  there  would  be  forwarded  to 
me.  I  would  not  have  gone,  without  the  requisite  amount  of  funds,  but 
for  the  receipt  of  Mr.  Badger's  lettei*  of  the  2nd  of  April,  1839,  signed  George 
W.  Rhawn,  From  the  tenor  of  that  letter  I  feared  there  might  be  some  diffi- 
culty, and  I  went  on  with  means  of  my  own,  to  use  if  it  were  necessary,  to  keep 
the  parties  quiet,  part  of  which  I  was  compelled  to  use  before  Mr.  Havens' 
arrival.  On  the  Monday  night  referred  to  in  the  letter  from  Mr.  Havens, 
signed  W.  C.  Scott,  at  about  eleven  o'clock,  I  went,  in  company  with  Charles 
Swint,  to  the  railroad  depot,  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  cars  from  New- York. 
"We  went  there  in  a  hack.  I  left  Swint  in  the  hack,  and  waited  on  the  pave- 
ment until  the  passengers  came  out.  I  met  Mr.  Henry  W.  Havens.  We 
went  to  the  hack  together,  and,  at  my  suggestion,  we  were  driven  to  Sander- 
son's Hotel,  in  Fourth,  near  Arch  street.  The  reason  why  this  house  was 
selected,  was  because  it  was  more  retired  and  out  of  the  way,  and  I  was  fear- 
ful if  he  went  to  the  United  States  Hotel,  or  was  seen  with  me,  it  might  excite 
suspicion.  On  our  arrival  at  Sanderson's,  we  went  into  the  bar-room,  and 
Mr.  Havens  handed  me  a  package  of  money,  which  I  counted,  and  found 
short  fifty  dollars.  I  mentioned  this,  and  Mr.  Havens  replied  that  he  had 
retained  it  for  his  expenses.  This  package  contained  twenty-nine  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars.  A  fictitious  name  was  entered  on  the  register  at  Sanderson's 
Hotel.  I  may  have  suggested  this  to  Mr.  Havens,  and  may  have  written  it ; 
but  if  so,  it  was  done  in  his  presence,  and  with  his  entire  concurrence.  My 
Impression  is,  that  the  pen  was  handed  him  by  the  clerk,  and  that  he  entered 
on  the  register  Charles  Daurs.  New-York.  It  was  now  past  twelve  o'clock — 
no  persons  were  in  the  bar-room  except  Havens,  Swint,  the  clerk  and  myself. 
I  paid  Swint  five  hundrpd  dollars,  and  took  his  receipt.  The  object  of  Swint's 
going  with  me  that  evening  was,  to  get  funds  to  pay  some  men,  who,  he  repre- 
sented were  at  rendezvous  waiting  for  it.  I  only  remained  with  Havens,  at 
Sanderson's,  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  and  did  not  see  him  again  in  Philadel- 
phia that  spring.  I  think  he  informed  me,  when  I  left  him,  that  he  would  re- 
turn to  New-York  the  next  morning. 

I  must  here  advert  to  the  affidavit  of  Henry  W.  Havens,  taken  before  the 
Recorder  of  the  city  of  New-York,  on  the  20th  day  of  October,  1840;  and  in 
doing  so,  if  I  know  my  own  heart,  I  am  free  from  any  unkind  feeling  towards 
him.  I  regret  that  his  judgment  has  been  influenced,  and  that  his  own  act  has 
placed  him  in  a  position  that  I  doubt  not  he  has  often  bitterly  repented .  I 
publish  Mr.  Haven's  affidavit  entire,  and  comments  en  the  same. 


16 


Henry  W.  Havens  appeared  as  a  witness  on  the  subpoena. 

Knows  James  B.  Glentworth  ;  has  known  him  for  years  past,  but  has  seen 
but  little  of  him  lately ;  I  saw  him  in  Philadelphia  in  the  year  1838, 1  think,  I 
am  not  sure,  I  was  there  in  the  spring  of  1837,  and  either  the  spring  or  fail  of 
1838,  is  not  certain  which,  but  think  net  in  the  fall ;  I  have  no  distinct  remem- 
brance as  to  the  time.  I  took  money  on  to  him  at  one  of  the  occasions  I  have 
mentioned;  I  do  not  recollect  the  precise  amount;  I  think  it  was  something 
like  a  thousand  dollars ;  I  do  not  think  it  was  two  thousand ;  it  was  in  bank 
bills;  it  was  done  up  in  a  package  ;  must  have  been  bills;  I  understood  it  was 
money ;  the  person  who  gave  it  to  me  said  it  was  money ;  I  do  not  know  his 
name;  hs  was  a  young  man ;  I  have  seen  him  frequently;  don't  know  his 
name  ;  know  no  part  of  his  name;  don't  know  where  he  lives;  do  not  know 
where  or  how  he  is  to  be  found;  have  not  seen  him  for  about  two  years  ;  I 
was  in  my  office  when  I  received  the  package;  I  presume  he  was  told  I  was 
going  to  Philadelphia ;  I  did  not  ask  him ;  I  do  not  recollect  he  said  anything 
particular;  he  merely  handed  it  to  me;  he  may  have  made  some  casual  re- 
mark; I  do  not  know  who  it  came  from  ;  I  might  guess ;  I  will  not  undertake 
to  say  whether  it  came  from  one  or  more;  I  had  been  told  before  I  was  to  take 
a  package  to  Philadelphia  ;  I  decline  answering  v/ho  told  me  I  was  to  take  on 
the  package ;  the  request  that  I  should  bring  on  the  money  came  from  Mr. 
Glentworth;  Mr.  Glentv/orth  I  found  in  Philadelphia  ;  I  had  no  knowledge 
of  his  being  here  in  this  city  at  the  time  I  received  the  money;  I  received  a 
note  from  Mr.  Glentworth  to  that  effect,  that  money  would  be  handed  me  ;  I 
have  not  the  note ;  he  said  the  money  would  be  sent  to  me  ;  he  did  not  name  the 
source  from  whence  I  would  receive  it;  note  was  very  brief ;  after  the  note  of 
Glentworth  was  received,  did  not  converse  with  any  one  about  the  package  of 
money  ;  I  did  no:  know  where  to  find  Glentworth  ;  I  put  up  at  my  usual  place 
of  stopping  at  that  time,  the  United  States,  and  found  him  there;  he  met 
me  in  the  street  as  I  was  going  up  to  the  house ;  have  no  knowledge  how  or  by 
whom  the  money  was  raised;  I  had  met  the  young  man  who  gave  me  the  money 
in  the  street,  and  frequently  at  whig  meetings;  I  went  on  to  Philadelphia  to  bring 
ray  sister  home  ;  the  young  man  was  not,  that  I  know  of,  asecretary  or  officer  of 
whig  meetings ;  I  do  not  know  whose  writing  was  on  the  envelope ;  it  was  short- 
ly before  an  election,  I  think,  but  am  not  positive;  all  conversation  I  had  with 
Glentworth  about  the  packages  was,  I  had  brought  on  the  packages  he  had 
written  about  or  something  to  that  effect;  I  do  not  rememberany  thing  being 
important  conversation,  or  that  impressed  it  upon  my  mind;  nothing  said 
about  his  being  successful;  he  broke  the  package  open ;  Isaw.bills,  but  can- 
not state  what  bank ;  they  were  allSlOO  bills ;  I  thought  it  singular,  and  there- 
fore purposely  refrained  from  asking  any  questions  about  the  money  or  its  ob- 
ject; 1 5,aw  Glentwp-th  only  for  a  few  moments;  he  opened  the  package  and 
counted  the  money,  and  said  it  was  correct ;  on  my  return  I  never  asked  any 
persons  about  it  that  I  know  of;  young  man  who  gave  me  the  package ;  may 
have  seen  him  once  or  twice  since,  but  neverspoke  to  him  about  it.  I  saw  him 
in  the  street,  and  at  whig  meetings ;  I  had  no  belief  that  it  was  forwarded  to 
Mr.  Glentworth  for  election  purposes;  I  may  have  been  present  when  the  a- 
ni«unt  of  money  spent  by  Mr.  Glentworth  was  spoken  of,  but  do  not  recollect 


It 


when  il  was,  or  where  it  was  ;  has  heard  Mr.  Glentworth  spoken  of;  has  not 
heard  the  araoHnl  forwarded  to  Mr.  Glentworth  spoken  of. 

Knows  nothing  about  means  forwarded  to  Glentworth,  except  what  I  toot ; 
I  do  not  know  persons  eatne  on  here  to  vote  ;  don't  know  James  Young,  of 
Philadelphia;  I  was  at  the  United  States  Hotel,  and  was  ihere  a  day  and:a 
half,  having  arrived  in  the  afternoon  of  one  caj' ;  stayed  there  one  day,  and 
left  the  next  morning ;  no  fictitious  name  was  given  for  me  that  I  know  of;  as 
far  as  I  know  my  name  was  put  in  the  book;  if  any  other  name  was  put  there 
it  was  an  imposition  upon  me  ;  I  brought  my  ?ister  wiih  me ;  I  was  not  there 
in  spring  of  1839 ;  I  never  carried  any  money  there  for  Glentworth,  except 
npon  this  occasion  ;  no  one  present  but  myself  and  Glentworth  when  I  paid 
the  money  to  him.  HENRY  W.  HAVENS. 

Taken  and  sworn  before  me  this  20th  day  of  October,  1840. 

ROBERT  H.  MORRIS, 
Recorder  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

COMMENTS. 

Mr.  Havens  was  in  Philadelphia,  and  I  believe  with  his  sister,  in  the  spring 
of  1838.  I  recollect  distinctly  meeting  hirathere  in  the  street,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  United  States  Hotel.  I  was  there  to  meet  some  of  my  family 
on  their  return  from  spending  part  of  the  winter  at  Washington  ;  they  were 
undercharge  of  friends  as  far  as  Philadelphia,  and  Ijoined  them  by  appoint- 
ment there.  I  have  my  bills  at  the  United  States  Hotel,  dated  March,  1838; 
and  I  think  it  was  at  this  time  I  saw  Mr.  Havens.  I  was  in  Philadelphia 
for  the  purpose  named,  and  with  no  reference  to  political  matters.  I  did  not 
see  Mr,  Havens  in  Philadelphia  in  the  fall  of  1838,  He  did  not  bring  on 
funds  tome  at  any  other  time  than  in  April,  1839.  There  was  no  necessity 
for  his  bringing  on  funds  to  me  in  the  fall  of  1838,  for  it  will  bs  recollected 
that  it  is  conceded  thai  I  came  on  to  New  York,  was  recalled  by  a  leUer  brought 
me  by  William  A.  Ford,  and  after  making  the  arrangement  for  the  funds  in 
part  by  Mr.  Drn.per's  draft  on  William  Gill,  of  Philadelphia,  as  before  refer- 
red to,  I  returned  to  Philadelphia  to  consummate  my  arrangements.  It  was 
three  thousand  dollars  that  Mr,  Havens  was  entrusted  to  bring  on  to  me, 
and  which  amount,  less  fifty  dollars  deducted  for  his  personal  expenses,  he 
handed  me  ;  this  is  in  accordance  with  his  letter,  signed  W.  C.  Scott,  of  the 
7th  April,  1839.  How  is  Mr.  Havens  enabled  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the 
amount,  if  *'  it  was  done  up  in  a  package"  1  He  gays:  "  /  think  it  was 
something  like  a  thousand  dollars ;  I  do  not  think  it  ivas  tieo  thousand;  it 
was  done  up  in  a  package-,  must  have  been  bills;  I  understood  it  was  mo- 
ney.'^ Mr.  Havens  hazards  an  opinion  as  to  the  amount  contained  in  the 
package,  without  being  enabled,  in  his  own  mind,  to  determine  whether 
the  package  certainly  contained  bank  bills  or  otherwise.  Was  the  pack- 
age sealed  7  Is  it  not  somewhat  singular  that  a  person  should  be  selected 
and  entrusted  with  a  package  containing  three  thousand  dollars,  to  hand  Mr. 
Havens,  who  was  an  entire  stranger  1  And  remark,  who  informed  him 
that  it  contained  money  1  Was  this  the  effect  of  accident  or  design  1  Al- 
though Mr,  Havens  stated  he  was  ignorant  of  the  name  and  residence  of 
this  person,  will  he  deny  that  he  knew  him  to  be  in  the  employ  of  the  very 
individual  whom  he  might  guess  sent  the  package  ?    Mr.  Havens  says  :  "  / 

3 


had  been  told  before  I  teas  to  take  a  package  to  Philadelphia ;  I  decline  an- 
swering who  told  me  I  was  to  take  on  the  package."  And  why  decline? 
If  Mr.  Havens  was  so  entirely  ignorant  and  iunocent  in  this  business,  why 
withhold  the  name  of  the  person  who  told  him  that  he  was  to  take  charge 
of  the  packaged  I  may  have  addressed  a  note  to  Mr.  Havens  informing 
him  that  I  was  compelled  to  return  to  Philadelphia  unexpectedly,— (the 
reason  of  that  return  was  the  letter  from  Mr.  Badger,  dated  April  2,  1839) 
—and  that  he  would  be  entrusted  wiih  some  funds  to  bring  on  to  me.  I 
had,  however,  no  interview  that  I  recollect  with  him  on  this  subject.  It 
may  have  been  suggested  to  me  before  I  left  the  city  that  I  had  bettergive 
Mr.  Havens  some  intimation  before  I  started.  It  will  be  recollected  that  I 
returned  from  Philadelphia  about  the  30;h  of  March,  and  that  I  went  back 
again  in  a  few  days.  Mr.  Badger's  letter,  urging  me  to  come  on,  is  dated 
April  2d,  1839.  I  may  have  gone  on  the  evening  of  iis  receipt  or  the  fol- 
lowing day.  In  the  interim  I  had  been  very  much  engaged  in  assisting 
the  joint  Finance  Committee  of  the  Old  and  Young  Men's  General  Com- 
mittees in  their  collection*:.  On  the  evening  of  the  Istol  April,  1839,  (for  we 
always  met  of  an  evening,)  I  paid  Mr.  Shepherd  Knapp  five  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars,  which  I  had  collected  that  day.  Alderman  Whitehead  of  the  I4th 
Ward  accompanied  me  to  make  the  collections.  On  the  3d  or  4th  of  April, 
1839,  I  went  back  again  to  Philadelphia,  for  the  reasons  and  for  the  pur- 
poses before  named.  Mr.  Havens,  in  his  affidavit,  says:  "  After  the  note  of 
Glentworth  was  received,  did  not  con \'^erse  with  any  one  about  the  package  of 
money."  I  regret  the  position  m  which  Mr.  Havens  has  placed  himself  by 
such  inconsistent  statements. 

Towards  the  close  of  December,  1810,  at  my  rooms  at  the  Astor  House, 
James  Bowen  informed  me,  in  the  course  of  conversation  about  these  mat- 
ters, that  Havens  had  called  upon  him,  in  reference  to  bringing  on  the  pack- 
age of  money,  and  to  ask  instructions,  and  that  he  told  him  he  had  nothing 
to  do  with  it ;  and  that  Havens  had  also  called  on  Mr.  Blatchford  at  this 
lime,  and  made  the  same  inquiries. 

Now,  is  it  not  apparent  that  Mr.  Havens,  in  his  eagerness  to  identify  him- 
self with  an  important  confidential  party  movement,  loses  sight  of  all  pruden- 
tial considerations  1  Why  did  he  not  keep  quiet  1  Was  be  told  to  move  in 
the  matter,  or  to  call  on  any  one  7  Certainly  not.  It  was  all  arranged,  and 
ready  to  be  carried  into  effect  at  the  proper  time  ;  for  we  find  that  the  money 
ultimately  comes  into  Mr.  Havens's  charge,  under  circumstances,  as  detailed 
by  himself,  at  once  strange  and  suspicious,  and  without  any  actfon  or  partici- 
pation on  his  part.  Mr.  Ha veas swears :  "  He,  (Glentworth,  in  his  note)  said 
the  money  would  be  sent  to  me.  He  did  net  name  the  source  from  which  I 
would  receive  it."  True  :  and  why  did  you  call  on  Mr.  Bowen,  Blatchford, 
and  another  ^  In  &  word — if  the  contemplated  operation  was  a  just  and  right 
jp".  )•  TO'.'.M  hc^vr  trfrti'inv  nnd  in  Vi-s'ii'ation,  if  not,  at  the  time,  certainly  af- 

ct  was  aiiained  for  which  that  se- 
•  •  .  '.  aiystery  or  concealoieni  {    if  that 

.ry,  waste  al  and  laudable  purpose,  why  are  the 

'■•hoc!r--i  -  .  •    :  im,  and  by  a  stranger  (at 

>i,  Bf  hetp  4  the  iniegritv  of  uor  ac- 


lions  and  purposes,  we  seek,  we  defy  investigation ;  it  fortifies  the  innocent, 
and  emboldens  him  to  speak  out,  with  manly  bearing  and  honest  pride,  the 
truth.    What  has  an  Aon^y^  man  to  fear  from"  the  truth'?   Mr.  Havens  says: 
"I  did  not  know  where  to  find  Glentworth."   True  ;  and  why  1    Because,  in 
the  hurry  of  leaving,  1  neglected,  in  the  note  hs  refers  to,  giving  him  my  ad- 
dress.   But  he  took  the  hazard,  in  the  letter  he  wrote  me  signed  W.  C.  Scott, 
to  direct  it  tome  at  the  Marshall  House,  Philadelphia.   He  also  swears: 
*'  I  put  up  at  my  usual  place  of  stopping  at  that  time,  the  United  States  Hotel, 
and  found  him  there — he  met  me  in  the  street  as  I  was  going  up  to  the  house." 
Now  let  us  extract,  from  Havens's  own  letter,  under  the  fictitious  signature 
of  \V.  C.  Scoit,  of  April  7ih,  1839:  ^'but  you  may  depend  on  seeing  me  on 
Monday  nighty  at  12  M,  wilh  all  you  have  askcdy   Mr.  Ho  vens's  memory 
is  again  at  fault.   He  went,  on  his  arrival  at  the  depot,  Philadelphia,  on  the 
night  of  the  8ih  April,  1839,  at  nearly  twelve  o'clock,  in  a  hack,  with  me  and 
Charles  Swlnt,  to  Sanderson's  Hotel,  as  before  detailed.   Mr.  Havens's  nams 
is  not  on  the  books  of  the  United  Slates  Hotel  at  this  time.    More  than  a  year 
since,  I  sent  to  Philadelphia,  and  obtained  a  transcript  from  the  registers  of 
the  United  States  Hotel,  and  also  from  Sanderson's  Hotel.    The  letters  in- 
closing these  transcripts,  bear  the  post  mark  ol  November  17th  and  19th,  1840, 
and  are  now  in  my  possession.    The  fictitious  name  assumed  by  Mr.  Havens, 
is  on  the  register  at  Sanderson's,  and  the  last  name  entered.    It  may  be  argu- 
ed that  the  register  may  have  been  mutilated  in  the  one  case,  and  a  name  easi- 
ly entsredin  the  other.    True;  bat  Mr.  Havens's  name  is  not  entered  on  the 
books  at  all  of  the  United  States  Hotel ;  whereas,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
name  he  assumed  at  Sanderson's  Hotel,  is  not  only  found  on  the  register,  but 
on  the  books  of  that  house,  credited  for  ths  amount  of  his  bill.   Again,  he 
swears:    I  never  carried  money  there  for  Glsnhuorth,ezc3pl  upon  this  occa- 
s'^cn.    I  was  not  there  in  the  spring  of  1839."   Nowf,  it  is  not  contended  that 
I  participa'ed  in  bringing  on  persons  from  Philadelphia  for  a  lawful  and  jus- 
tifiable object,  or  for  an  unlawful  and  fraudulent  purpose,  except  in 
the  fall  of  the  year  1838,  and  spring  of  1839 ;  and  it  is  equally  ap- 
parent, that  there  was  no  necessity  for  Mr.  Havens,  or  any  body  else, 
to  bring  on  funds  to  me,  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  fall  ,  of  1838,  for  I  was  re- 
called by  a  special  messenger  a  few  days  prior  to  the  election;  and  that  I  did 
return  to  New- Yx)rk,  and  again  went  back  to  Philadelphia,  wifh  the  requisite 
funds,  as  before  shown.    These  poinis  are  all  conceded  in  the  examinations  of 
Messrs.  Blatchford,  Grinnell  and  Draper,  taken  before  the  Recorder  of  the  city 
of  New-York,  in  October,  1810.   Now,  what  becomes  of  Mr.  Havens's  unquali- 
fied denial,  that  he  was  in  Philadelphia  in  the  spring  of  18391   Mr.  Ha- 
ven's memory  is  lamentably  deficient.   After  the  receipt  of  the  funds  by  Mr. 
Havens,  the  arrangements  were  consummated,  and  the  men  paid— some  the 
^hcle  amount,  and  others  a  part— by  Looney,  Swim  and  Saunders,  and  they 
were  directed  to  report  themselves  to  Noah  Cook,  at  Masonic  Hall:  some  of 
them  may  have  received  directions  to  Mr.  Cook,  at  his  place  of  business,  on 
the  corner  of  Water  and  Broad  .streets.    The  leaders  of  the  party  were  ia 
some,  and  1  think  in  most  cases,  furnished  with  a  letter  to  Mr.  Cook,  con- 
taining the  names  of  the  men  under  their  charge.    The  men  were  to 
Uave  Philadelphia  by  different  routes,  and  at  different  hours,  in  tie  seven 


99 


and  nice  o'cloetc  moroing  lines,  by  railroad  and  ctenisboat,  and  by  the 
eveniog  railroad  line.  Of  this  I  have  no  personal  knjwledge;  such  was 
ihe  understanding,  and  it  ^as  a  necessary  precaution,  so  as  not  to  excite 
suspicion. 

1  returned  to  New  York  on  the  second  day  of  the  election.  I  did  not  go,  I 
think,  to  the  Committee  room  at  Masonic  Hall  until  the  next  morning.  I  saw 
Ntsah  Cook  there  ;  he  had  the  general  superintendence  of  the  affair  ;  also,  Mr.  J. 
Coggeshall,  his  son,  H.  W.  Havens,  J.  H.  Van  Alen,  and  J.  C.  Brant,  and  others, 
some  of  whom  I  do  not  now  recollect.  There  was  also  a  young  man  by  the  name 
of  Campbell,  whom  I  was  surprised  to  see  admitted  to  the  private  committee  room. 
I  saw  in  the  private  committee  room,  and  also  in  the  large  room  adjoining,  many 
persons,  some  of  whom  I  recognized  as  belonging  to  the  Philadelphia  party.  I 
also  saw  some  of  the  same  men  that  had  been  employed  at  the  previous  fall  elec- 
tion, and  who  were  represented  as  coming  from  New  Jersey.  They  appeared  to 
understand  their  business.  I  saw  Noah  Cook  loan  his  hat  and  coat  to  these  men, 
and  change  their  hats  and  coats,  so  as  to  disguise  and  prevent  their  detection.  I 
received,  while  at  the  Committee  room,  tlie  following  letters  from  Mr.  Bela  Bad- 
ger, signed  George  W.  Rhav^n  : 

Philadelphia,  April  6,  1839. 
Dear  Sir — Permit  me  to  introduce  to  your  notice  my  particular  friend,  William 
F.  Pitifield,  who  i*  about  t®  visit  your  city  on  business.  Mr.  Pittfield  is  a  young 
man  of  high  respectability,  in  whom  every  confidence  can  be  placed.  Any  civility 
you  may  have  in  your  power  to  render  him,  while  in  your  city,  will  be  most  cheer- 
fully reciprocated  by 

Your  obedient  3er\'aBt, 

GEORGE  W.  RHAWr. 

J.  B.  Glentworth,  Esq.,  New  York. 

Philadelphia,  April  9,  1839. 
Dear  Sir — I  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to  your  favorable  notice,  John  Mua- 
cbant,  George  Fisher,  and  John  Hurst,  who  are  about  to  visit  your  city  on  busi- 
ness.   Any  civilities  y«>u  have  in  your  power  to  render  them  while  in  New  York, 
will  add  to  the  many  obligations  already  conferred  on 

Your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  W.  RHAWN. 

J.  B.  Glentworth,  Esq.,  New  York. 

I  find  among  my  papers  a  receipt  from  John  Muschant,  dated  April  11th,  1839, 
for  forty  dollars,  in  full,  and  I  think  that  1  paid  each  of  the  others  thiity  dollars. 

During  the  afternoon  of  the  third  day  of  the  election,  I  saw,  in  the  private  com- 
mittee room,  a  man  who  was  rojjresented  to  be  Coulson,  a  police  otficcr,  from  the 
city  of  Albany.  I  8?-"V  Noah  C-jok  pay  him  money,  but  what  amount  I  do  not 
know.  There  was  some  very  angry  coii vernation  cAnied  on  between  Cook,  Coul- 
son, and  a  third  person,  whose  name  I  did  not  a3cer»^ain ;  the  amount  of  the  con 
vffrsation,  I  think,  wss  dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  the  men  in  reference  to  some 
portion  of  the  money  promised  them  being  retained.  Coulson,  after  receiving  the 
money,  was  directed  to  get  the  men  to  the  boat  to  return  to  Albany.    The  boat  na- 


21 


med  wa»  not  one  of  the  regular  boats  of  the  NdilH  River  Line;  1  think  it  waa  ih« 
Victory. 

The  men  from  Philadelphia,  I  understood,  were  variously  disposed  of ;  some 
were  provided  for  at  a  house  kept  by  a  person  named  Mott,  in  Spring  street,  and 
others  at  Lafayette  Hall,  and  elsewhere.  I  think,  from  Couhon's  remarks,  that  his 
patty  were  quartered  at  the  last  mentioned  place.  Of  these  matters  I  have  no  per- 
sonal knowledge,  and  as  I  have  before  stated,  did  not  make  myself  acquainted  with, 
as  I  did  not  wish  to  be  identified  with  their  acts  in  the  city  of  New  York.  Part  of 
the  men  furnished  by  Mr.  Looney  were,  as  I  understood,  entrusted  to  the  charge 
of  Mr.  McArdle,  and  that  they  become  dissatisfied  when  they  found  that  th'\v  were 
to  be.  entertained  at  the  Alms  House,  and  had  cleared  out ;  most  of  them,  I  believe 
however,  reported  themselves  at  the  Committee  room  afterwards.  The  way  we 
managed  to  deceive  the  vigilance  of  the  democratic  Lispectors  and  challengers,  was 
to  take  the  democratic  tickets,  erase  the  names  carefully  with  a  fine  pen,  so  as  not 
to  show  through,  and  substitute  the  names  of  the  whig  candidates.  This,  of  course, 
deceived  the  democratic  challengers ;  they  would  Hot  challenge  what  they  suppo- 
sed to  be  their  own  tickets.  The  whig  challenger  was  informed  by  a  slip,  some 
time  before,  of  the  names  he  must  challenge  and  then  withdraw.  This  was  also 
understood  by  the  person  offering  his  vote,  and  was  arranged,  in  some  instances,  af- 
ter the  arrival  of  the  men  in  the  wards  where  it  was  proposed  to  vote  them  ;  but 
most  generally  the  arrangements  were  perfected  before  the  men  left  the  private 
committee  room  at  Masonic  Hall.  The  democratic  Inspectors  and  challengers 
were  completely  blinded.  The  whig  challengers  were  also  informed  of  the  char- 
acter of  the  person  offering  to  vote,  by  a  sign  ;  a  pin  on  the  edge  of  the  collar  of 
cuff  of  the  coat;  sometimes  by  apparently  an  accidental  chalk  mark  on  the  coat  or 
edge  of  the  hat.  The  modes  of  recognition  were  various,  and  frequently  changed, 
so  as  not  to  excite  remark  or  suspicion.  The  whig  challengers  knew  their  men, 
also,  by  the  reply  given  to  the  first  question  put  to  the  voter  by  the  Inspector,  as, 
for  instance — What's  your  name,  sir  ?  Why,  my  name  is  so  and  so.  Another 
mode,  was  in  pfosenting  the  ticket,  which  was  done  with  the  left  hand,  with  thumb 
and  first  finger.  These,  and  other  various  modes,  were  resorted  to,  to  enable  the 
whig  challengers  to  act  knowingly, 

Mr.  James  M.  Van  Alen,  and  Mr.  John  C.  Brant,  were  in  the  private  Committee 
room  together,  at  one  time  during  the  election — I  think  the  second  day.  Mr.  Van 
Alen  said  he  would  try  his  vote  down  stairs.  The  Sixth  W^rd  poll  was  held  in  one  of 
the  basement  rooms  of  the  MasoKic  Hall.  T  loaned  him  my  eoat,  at  his  request ; 
and  after  the  whig  challenger  was  prepared,  he  went  down,  and  on  his  return, 
in  some  ten  minutes,  said  that  he  had  voted.  Mr.  Van  Alen  was  a  member  of  the 
Whig  Young  Men's  General  Committee,  and  a  resident  of  the  Seventeenth  Ward, 
at  that  time.  It  must  not  be  supposed  that  this  is  an  isolated  case ;  for  the  sake 
of  sound  principles,  I  wish  that  I  were  enabled  to  record  the  fact  that  it  was.  But 
in  those  times  of  high  party  excitements,  many,  very  many,  perhaps  of  as  good 
character  and  standing  as  Mr.  Van  Alen,  actuated  by  what  they  supposed  to  be 
honorable  and  chivalrous  impulse,  resorted  to  expedients  at  once  discreditable  to 
themselves,  and  at  variance  with  morals.  The  whole  matt«r,  in  my  opinion,  was 
very  badly  managed ;  there  was  a  want  of  system  and  arrangement.  The  raer 
frequently  boasted  ©f  their  success.    I  heard  one  person  say  that  he  voted  seren 


29 


teen  times,  and  otbers  that  they  had  voted  more  than  once  at  the  same  ward.  I 
have  a  memoranda,  made  by  one  of  the  Philadelphia  party,  of  his  exploits.  He 
said  that  he  voted  in  the  Eighth,  Fourteenth,  Fourth,  Seventh,  Ninth,  Fifteenth, 
Sixteenth,  Eleventh  and  Tenth  Wards,  on  the  two  first  days ;  and  on  the  third 
day,  the  last  day  of  the  election,  in  the  Fifth,  Third,  Second  and  First  Wards  ; 
making  in  all  thirteen  votes.  Mr.  Noah  Cook  left  the  Committee  room  at  about 
half-past  four  o'clock,  with  the  intentisn,  as  he  represented,  of  leaving  that  afters 
noon  at  five  o'clock,  for  Albany,  to  resume  his  seat  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
of  New- York. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  inonth  of  January,  1840,  I  went  to  Albany  to  make  my 
annual  return.  Previous  to  this,  stories  had  been  circulated  by  men  of  my  own  par- 
ty, who  were  opposed  to  tny  retaining  the  office  I  then  held,  that  I  was  a  loco  foco 
-^that  I  had  openly  admitted  that  I  was  a  democrat — and  therefoie,  they 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  I  ouiibt  to  be  removed  from  office  ;  and,  in  fact,  they 
went  so  far  as  to  Rame  others  to  fill  my  place.  It  is  true  that  I  had  resisted  the 
interference  and  refused  to  submit"  to  the  dictation  of  men  who  had  no  business  to 
meddle  with  my  affairs,  and  had  incurred  their  further  displeasure  by  refusing  to 
remove  Mr.  Nalh'i  Pierce,  a  gentleman  of  high  character  and  undispTited  competen- 
cy, against  whom  there  was  no  other  charge  than  the  fact  that  he  was  the  political 
opponent  of  the  whig  party.  I  had  also  refused  to  comply  with  their  demand  to 
remove  Mr.  A.  S.  Jarvis,  my  book-keeper,  and  others  in  the  inspection  ware- 
house who  v<fere  competent  and  trust  worthy,  unless  some  other  cause  why  1  should 
remove  them  was  assigned  than  the  simple  fact  that  they  did  not  agree  with  me 
politically.  In  consequence  «of  thus  refusing  to  be  controlled  by  others,  I  was  pro- 
scribed by  a  faction,  and  hunted  down,  but  I  was  determined  not  to  be  sacrificed 
without  resistance.  I  did  not  mean  to  submit  tamely  to  their  oppression,  a..d  I 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  if  I  was  sacrificed,  it  should  not  be  doue  with  impunity. 
I  had  the  power  in  my  own  hands,  and  it  depended  on  them  whether  or  not  1  should 
use  it.  They  had  commenced  the  war — I  stood  then  on  the  defensive,  but  still 
was  determined  to  attack,  unless  their  conduct  was  fair  and  generous  towards  me. 
Before  I  started  for  Albany,  I  called  on  Mr.  R.  M.  Blatchford,  James  Bowen  and 
Simeon  Draper,  Jr.  Thu  two  former  promised  to  write  to  the  Governor.  Mr. 
Draper  furnished  me  with  a  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy.  I  did  notdei 
liver  the  letter ;  and  it  is  still  in  my  possession. 

New  York,  January  11th,  1840. 

Gsvernor  Seward  : 

Dear  Sir — Mr.  Gientworth  goes  to  Albany  to-morrow  with  his  annual  return  as 
Inspector  of  Tobacco.  In  consequence  of  an  impression  which  is  abroad,  tending 
to  affect  his  office,  he  has  reqtsested  me  to  write  you  on  the  subject.  Not  being  in 
any  way  conversant  with  the  article,  or  the  duties  of  the  office,  I  can  say  no  more 
in  reference  to  the  mat'-;^r  than  that  lie  infwrms  me  he  has  obtained  the  signatures 
of  all  the  dealers  certifying  to  his  having  performed  the  duties  to  their  entire  satis- 
faction. So  far  as  regards  his  political  claims,  I  can  certainly,  up  to  the  period  of 
his  appointment,  testify  to  his  nnremiting  labors  in  behalf  of  the  good  cause,  ha- 
ving, in  my  opinion,  been  as  active  and  energetic  as  any  other  individual  in  this  city. 

Vrry  truly,  your  obd't  serv't, 

S.  DRAPER,  Jr. 


23 


I  waa  also  furnished  with  a  letter  on  the  part  of  the  merchants  and  dealers  in  th« 

tobacco  trade,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy.  I  did  not  deliver  this  letter  :  it  is 
now  in  my  possession. 

New  York,  January  10th,  1840. 

J.  B.  Glentworth.  Esq.,  Inspector  : 

We,  the  undersignad,  importers  and  dealers  in  leaf  tobacco,  deem  it  but  corns 
inon  justice  to  say  that  the  business  of  the  Tabacco  Inspection  in  this  city  has  been 
conducted  with  ability,  impartiality  and  dispatch,  and  that  we  repose  full  confi- 
dence in  a  continuance  of  its  correctness,  and  of  the  facilities  which  we  now  enjoy 
under  your  administration  of  the  office. 

MRS.  G.  B.  MILLER  &  CO., 
WILLIAM  AGNEW  &  SON, 
MASON  &  THOMPSON, 
J.  &  H.  MESSENGER, 
RICHARD  V.  W.  THORNE  &  CO., 
WILLIAM  GERARD, 
JOHN  WILSON  &  CO., 
BOORMAN,  JOHNSTON  &  CO., 
J.  BOWEN  SMITH, 
JOHN  MULLEN  &  CO., 
CHARLES  ESENWEIN  &  CO., 
CORNELIUS  DU  BOIS,  Jr.  &  CO., 
RICHARD  IRVIN, 
HOWLAND  &ASPINWALL, 
GOODHUE  &  CO., 

HECKSCHERS,  COSTAR  &  MATFIELD, 
MASTERS,  MARKOE  &  CO., 
TR AVERS  &  ALEXANDER, 
JOHN  LAIDLAW  &  CO. 

On  the  evening  of  my  arrival  at  Albany,  I  called  on  Mr.  Willis  Hall,  the  At- 
torney General,  of  the  State  of  Nevf-York,  at  his  lodgings,  but  did  not  see  him  un- 
til the  following  morning,  at  about  10  o'clock,  at  his  office.  I  stated  to  him  the 
disastrous  consequences  which  would  ensue  if  my  removal  was  attempted.  He 
advised  me  not  to  act  rash  or  hastily.  He  informed  me  that  Marshall  0.  Roberts, 
Henry  W.  Havens,  and  John  C.  Brandt,  had  recently  been  at  Albany,  and  while 
there  expressed  hostility  to  me ;  and  that  Roberts  had  undervalued  the  services  I 
had  rendered  to  the  party,  and  ridiculed  the  idea  that  the  employment  of  the  naen 
from  Philadelphia  was  as  effective  as  it  had  been  represented ;  and  that  Roberts  sta- 
ted to  him,  that  most  of  the  men,  placed  under  his  charge  to  vote  in  the  Fifth  Ward, 
deceived  him  ;  and  that  this  fact,  and  other  matters,  had,  as  I  understood  him  to 
say,  been  communicated  to  Governor  Seward.  Shortly  after  my  return  from  Al- 
bany, I  met  Mr.  Brandt  in  Chatham  street,  and  had  a  conversation  with  him  in  rela- 
tion to  the  matters  of  which  Mr.  Hall  had  informed  me.  He  admitted,  generally, 
the  truth  of  the  statement  as  made  by  Mr.  Hall  to  me.  After  some  explanations 
by  mo,  Mr.  Br andi  said  that  he  would  write  to  Governor  Seward  immediately, 
and  endeavor  vi  counteract,  any  unfavorable  inpreasion  which  he  bad  cres 


ated  against  me.   A  few  days  after  this  Interview,  I  agab  saw  Mr.  Brandt, 

and  he  informed  me  he  had  written  to  the  Governor  on  the  subject.  I  al«. 
so  saw  Mr.  Roberts,  and  accused  him  of  attempting  to  injure^  me,  by  un- 
dervaluing the  services  I  h^ld  rendered  to  the  party.  He  did  not  deny  it, 
nor  the  statement  of  the  conversation  with  Mr.  Hall  before  referred  to.  Af^ 
ter  my  interview  with  the  Attorney  General,  I  called  on  Governor  Seward,  at 
his  chambers,  at  the  capitol ;  he  appointed  that  afternoon,  at  four  o'clock,  to  see 
me  at  his  house.  I  went  at  the  appointed  time,  and  considerable  conversation  en- 
sued. We  had  our  interview  in  the  large  hall;  he  was  seated  on  one  of  the  set-* 
tees,  and  I  on  the  other.  I  told  him  of  the  rumors  that  were  afloat  as  to  his  in- 
tention to  remove  me,  and  inquired  whether  there  were  my  charges  preferred 
against  me :  if  so,  for  what,  and  by  whom  ?  He  said  that  there  was  much  opposition 
to  me ;  that  he  had  received  a  great  many  anonymous  letters ;  that  at  the  time  of  my 
appointment,  and  for  some  time  afterwards,  there  was  but  one  feeling,  and  that 
feeling  was  unanimous  in  my  favor;  and  now  every  one  was  urging  my  removal. 
He  referred  to  the  appointment  of  Mr.  John  Gray,  the  Flour  Inspector,  and  said 
that  at  the  time  of  his  appointment  it  was  generally  condemned,  but  that  the  pub- 
lic feeling  now  had  become  decidedly  in  his  favor,  or  to  this  effect.  I  told  him  of 
my  devotion  and  services  to  the  Whig  party — of  some  of  the  circumstances 
attending,  and  the  character  of  those  services,  (referring  to  the  election  frauds.) 
I  complained  that  I  had  been  condemned  unheard;  alluded  to  the  representa- 
tions about  the  exaggeration  of  my  services,  in  reference  to  those  frauds,  made,  as 
I  had  understood,  by  Roberts  and  others.  I  showed  him  the  letter  from  the  mer-* 
chants  and  dealers  in  the  trade.  I  did  not  deliver  nor  use  any  other  letter.  A 
young  man,  I  believe  named  Gedney,  and  I  think  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  General 
John  Lloyd,  interrupted  our  interview,  which  was  by  no  means  satisfactory.  The 
next  morning  I  left  Albany  and  returned  to  New-York.  A  few  days  after  my  re- 
turn from  Albany,  I  obtained  and  forwarded  to  Governor  Seward,  letters  from  Gen> 
eral  Doughty,  George  W.  Bruen,  and  David  Graham,  Jr.  Esquires.  The  letter  of 
General  Doughty  is  as  follows  : 

New-York,  January  — ,  1840. 

His  Excellency  Wm.  H.  Seward: 

Dear  Sir — Having  taken  some  interest  in  the  appointment  of  Mr.  James  B. 
Glentworth  to  the  office  he  now  holds,  and  understanding  there  is  a  disposition  to 
remove  him,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  for  me  to  say  something  on  the  subject. 
Mr.  G.  was,  from  1834  to  1838,  a  close  political  associate  of  mine,  and  it  is  unnes 
cessary  to  say  I  found  him  a  very  efficient  coadjutor.  He,  like  myself,  was  a  se- 
ceder  from  the  Jackson  ranks,  and  assisted  to  organize  that  body  of  men,  the  Rank 
and  File  Party,  to  whose  exertions,  more  than  to  any  other,  the  predominancy  of 
the  party  is  attributable.  And  I  had  always  supposed,  that  his  extraordinary  ex- 
ertions were  founded  in  principle.  A  person  thus  situated,  and  whom  wo  have 
known  to  be  faithful,  and  who  had  been  rewarded  for  his  services  with  an  office, 
should  not,  in  my  humble  opinion, be  dismissed  upon  idle  rumor,  or  accusation  with- 
out proof.  If  persons  have  made  charges  against  him  (and  I  understand  they 
have)  vitally  aflfecting  his  reputation,  and  which,  if  true,  should  not  only  produce 
hit  removal  from  office,  but  consign  him  to  everlasting  disgrace,  they  owe  it  to  you. 


95 

\ 

to  themselves,  to  the  party,  and  above  all  to  Mr.  Gientworth,  to  substantiate  them 
by  irrefragible  testimony—  to  admit  their  falsify,  or  to  withdraw  them.  I  have 
myself  heard  various  rumors  respecting  Mr.  G.,  but  as  yet  have  not  been  able  to 
find  any  evidence  of  their  truth.  And  it  is  a  serious  matter  to  dismiss  from  office, 
one  whom  yourself  appointed,  and  who  had  been  intimately  connected  with  the 
party,  and  closely  conversant  with  its  operations  from  its  first  organization,  and 
«hould  not,  in  my  humble  judgment,  be  done,  unless  you  should  be  furnished 
with  indubitable  evidence  of  faithlessness,  incapacity,  or  treachery. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c.  Sec. 

GEORGE  S.  DOUGHTY. 

Having  known  Mr.  G.  under  the  same  circumstances  as  those  referred  to  by 
Gen'l.  D.,  I  most  fully  concur  in  the  suggestions  contained  in  his  letter. 

DUDLEY  SELDEN. 

Both  the  letters  from  Messrs.  Bruen  and  Graham  were  read  to  me  and  sealed. 
The  last  named  gentleman,  I  do  not  believe,  had  the  remotest  idea  that  any  frauds 
had  been  perpetrated.  They  were  strong  in  my  commendation.  Mr.  Bruen's  letter 
spoke  of  the  acquirements  of  a  personal  friend  whom  he  advocated  for  office,  and  whom 
he  named  of  course,  and  contrasted  his  distinguished  reputation  and  attainments  with 
another  person,  whom  it  was  confidently  thought  would  succeed  in  obtaining  this  ap- 
pointment. He  spoke  of  the  latter  as  having  produced  some  very  bad  transla- 
tions from  French  works.  In  referring  to  me,  he  directly,  and  distinctly,  alluded 
to  the  rumors  charging  me  with  participation  in  the  election  frauds,  and  offered,  I 
think,  some  reasons  to  palliate  the  same  on  my  part.  The  letter  was  every  thing 
I  desired  ;  it  was  sealed,  and  handed  me  at  Mr.  Bruen's  residence,  and  I  forward- 
ed it,  by  mail,  to  Governor  Seward.  About  a  week  or  ten  days  afterwards,  Mr- 
Bruen,  called  to  see  me ;  I  was  out ;  he  left  word  that  he  wished  to  see  me  — 
After  dinner  I  went  around  to  his  house,  and  he  took  a  letter  from  his  pocket, 
which  he  said  was  from  Governor  Sewaid.  I  think  he  said,  that  be  could  not  al. 
low  me  to  read  the  letter,  as  it  referred  to  other  matters.  The  Governor  desi-- 
red  Mr.  Bruen  to  say  to  me,  that  I  need  take  no  further  trouble,  or  give  myself 
any  uneasiness  about  my  removal,  or  to  this  effect. 

The  object  I  have  in  view,  in  alluding  to  this  correspondence,  (and  which,  un- 
der ordinary  circumstances,  I  would  consider  inviolate,)  of  Mr.  Bruen  with  Gover- 
nor Seward,  is  to  establish  the  fact  of  Governor  Seward's  knowledge  of  my 
participation  in  the  frauds  that  were  perpetrated  on  the  elective  frtinchise,  at  the 
election  that  elevated  him,  and  returned  from  the  city  of  New  York,  four  whig 
members  of  Congress,  two  State  Senators,  and  thirteen  members  of  the  Legisla- 
lature  of  the  state;  besides  all  the  county  appointments,  and  thus  securing  to  the 
whig  party,  the  entire  patronage  of  the  state. 

On  Tuesday,  the  20th  day  of  October,  1840,  I  was  served  with  a  subpcena  to 
attend  as  a  witness,  on  complaint  made  against  James  Young,  one  of  the  high 
constables  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  The  subpoena  was  signed  Robert  H. 
Morris,  Recorder  of  the  city  of  New  York.  It  was  served  on  me  at  about  eleven 
o'clock,  A.  M.  I  at  first  declined  a  compliance  with  the  requirements  of  the  sub- 
poena, and  so  informed  the  officer,  and  desired  him  to  say  to  the  Recorder,  that  I 
■would  attend  the  next  morning ;  that  I  had  business  that  required  my  immediate 
«tt«ntion.  On  reflection,  however,  I  determined  to  go  over  to  the  City  Hall,  and 
4 


36 


Tnake  my  own  apology  to  Mr.  Morris.    I  accompanied  the  officer,  and  was  usher- 
ed into  a  room  in  the  old  Alms  House,  where  I  found  Mr.  Whiting,  the  District 
Attorney,  and  a  gentleman  whom  I  did  not  know.    I  inquired  for  the  Recorder, 
and  was  told  by  Mr.  Whiting,  that  he  had  associated  Justice  MatssU  with  him, 
and  would  return  directly,  or  to  this  effect.    I  commenced  to  state  that  I  had  come 
over  as  a  mere  act  of  courtesy  to  the  Recorder,  to  say,  that  1  had  some  bssinees 
that  would  occupy  me  during  the  morning,  and  that  I  would  attend  the  next  day, 
any  hour  he  might  designate.    I  was  stopped  short  by  the  District  Attorney, 
who  proposed  to  examine  me  forthwith.    I  think  that  I  here  protested  against 
their  authority  to  do  so  ;  and  said,  that  the  subpoena  called  upon  me  to  appear  be- 
fore the  Recorder  as  a  witness,  and  as  he  was  not  present,  that  I  would  not  re- 
main.   The  District  Attorney  produced  the  law  authorizing  the  Recorder  to  asso- 
ciate any  justice  with  him.    To  obviate,  however,  this  objection,  Mr.  Justice  Mat- 
ssU wrote  another  subpoena,  and  served  it  on  me.    I  protested  against  the  whole 
procedure.    I  was  very  much  excited ;  told  them  that  I  was  an  American  citizen; 
Ibat  I  had  rights,  and  that  I  would  protect  them  against  such  inquisitorial  pro- 
peedings.    I  said  that  we  were  not,  thank  God,  in  Spain,  but  in  a  free  country.  I 
was,  I  suppose,  very  intemperate  in  my  language.    I  mide  an  attempt  to  leave 
the  room,  and  Mr.  Matsell,  I  think,  told  the  officer  not  to  allow  me ;  he  stood  be- 
fore the  door,  which  was,  I  believe,  locked,  and  the  key  in  the  door.    James  Young 
was  in  the  room  when  I  entered,   or  came  in  with  his  counsel,  from  an 
adjoining  room,  a  few  minutes  afterwards.    Some  short  time  after,  the  Recorder 
|i,rrived,  and  proposed  to  examine  me.    I  declined,  and  claimed  counsel ;  this  h  e 
t>aid  I  had  no  right  to  ;  that  I  was  a  witness.    Eventually,  and  when  it  was  found 
that  I  would  not  submit  to  an  examination,  one  of  the  officers  was  aliowed  to  carry 
a  note  to  Mr.  J.  Prescott  Hall.    Mr.  Hall  came  up  about  three  o'clock.    J  told 
him  that  I  had  refused  to  be  sworn :  he  said  that  I  had  done  right ;  but  declined 
acting  as  my  counsel,  as  he  was  on  the  whig  congrsssional  ticket.    He  left,  pro- 
mising to  send  Ctiarles  O'Connor,  Esq.,  or  some  one  else,  to  me.    I  think  in  the 
pole  I  wrote  Mr.  Hall,  I  enclosed  one  for  Mr.  Blalchford,  and  I  had  sent  one,  pre 
viously,  to  Mr.  O'Cotmor,  who  could  not  be  found.    I  know  that  I  felt  some  ap- 
prehension after  sending  the  note  to  Mr.  Hall,  that  the  enclosure  might  be  seen,  and 
that  I  turned  to  the  court,  and  observed,  that  I  supposed  the  note  to  Mr.  Hall 
would  not  be  opened.    The  Recorder,  or  District  Attorney,  aaid,  "  Oh,  no  ;  to 
break  a  seal,  is  an  indictable  offence."    I  was  without  counsel ;  Mr.  O'Connor 
could  not  be  found,  and  Mr.  Hall  had  not  sent  any  one  to  me.    Mr.  Hall  in- 
formed me  the  next  morning,  that  he  stopped  at  the  Club,  after  leaving  me,  to  find 
J.  Blunt,  Esq.,  and  that  after  unsucassful  attempts,  he  gave  it  up,  supposing  that 
I  had  myself  succeeded.    At  about  eight  o'clock,  finding  that  I  was  still  without 
cousael,  I  compromised  the  matter,  by  an  agreement  with  the  court,  that  I  would 
testify  R8  to  my  perso  a.1  knowledge  of  Mr  Young.    I  had  never  seen  Mr.  Young 
in  New  York  before  this  time,  and  I  supposed  that  as  his  participation   in  the 
frauds  was  confined  to  I'hiladelphia,  he  would  not  be  injured  by  ray  examination, 
which  was  to  be  confined  to  this  point.   I  knew  that  Young  was  not  in  the  city  of 
New  York  during  the  election  in  the  fall  of  1833,  and  that,  therefore,  he  had  no- 
thing to  apprehend.    At  about  nine  o'clock,  I  was  allowed  to  leave,  after  entering 
^nlo  a  recognizance  to  appear  on  the  following  morning  at  twelve  o'clock.    I  went 


27 


to  Mr.  Draper's;  he  was  out,  and  I  called  again,  as  late  as  eleven  o'clock  thai 
evening,  without  seeing  him.  On  the  following  morning,  October  21st,  I  went  a- 
round  to  Mr.  Draper's  house  to  inform  and  consult  with  him,  about  the  matter.— 
While  I  was  at  Mr.  Draper's  door,  I  saw  Mr.  Blatchford  on  the  steps  of  Mr. 
Tompkins's  house,  immediately  opposite;  presently  Mr.  Draper  came  out,  and  see- 
ing me,  they  crossed  over,  and  I  went  v/ith  them  into  Mr.  Draper's  front  parlor. 
I  told  them  what  had  taken  place,  and  asked  their  advise  as  to  how  I  should  act. 
They  said  that  they  were  prepared  to  prove,  that  their  participation  in  the  affair, 
was  only  to  ptccure  persons  to  come  on  and  identify  and  prevent  the  loco-foco 
j»arty  introducing  illegal  votes  ;  and  to  show  their  understanding  of  the  matter, 
Mr.  Draper  produced  a  copy  of  a  letter,  which  they  said  had  been  sent  to  me  by 
Ford.  Mr.  Draper  read  the  copy  of  the  letter,  (which  is  embodied  in  Mr.  Blatch- 
ford and  Mr.  Grinneli's  examinations,  and  admitted  by  Mr.  Draper  in  his  exami- 
nation, and  which  letter  I  shall  have  occasion,  not  only  to  refer  to,  but  copy  at 
length  in  my  comments  on  the  affidavits  made  by  them.)  I  denied  ever  having  re- 
ceived such  a  letter ;  they  laughed  and  said,  that  "  they  had  sent  it  to  me ;"  but 
I  did  not  tell  them  at  this  time,  that  I  had  preserved,  and  was  in  possession  of  the 
original  letter  sent  to  me. 

I  unqualifiedly  denied  ever  having  received  the  letter,  a  copy  of  which  Mr.  Dra- 
per had  then  read,  and  further  remarked  that  such  a  letter  would  unquestionably 
have  made  an  impression  upon  my  mind  that  I  would  not  have  very  soon  forgotten. 
They  insisted  that  it  had  been  sent,  and  said  "  if  I  had  not  received  it,  it  must  have 
gone  into  the  dead  letter  office  at  Washington."  I  left  them  to  procure  counsel, 
'after  their  repeated  promises  to  stand  by  and  sustain  me.  I  went  over  to  the 
City  Hall,  and  saw  Mr.  O'Connor ;  he  was  engaged  in  a  cause.  I  also  saw  Mr. 
J.  Prescott  Hall ;  he  explained  why  he  had  not  sent  some  one  to  me  the  previous 
afternoon,  and  suggested  one  or  two  that  I  had  better  employ,  and  I  think  Mr. 
A.  Crist  was  named  either  by  him  or  Messrs.  Blatchford  or  Draper  previoHsly. 
Mr.  Hall  informed  me  that  there  were  several  gentlemen  at  his  house  the  night  be- 
fore in  reference  to  this  business;  that  if  I  accused  these  gentlemen,  (meaning 
Blatchford,  Draper,  Bowen,  &;c.)  "  they  would  all  swear  through,"  and  that 
their  standing  and  numbers  would  completely  destroy  any  statement  I  might 
make,  or  to  this  efTect.  At  about  one  o'clock  on  this  day,  2l3t  October,  1840,  I 
went  to  Mr.  Blatchford's  office  in  company  with  Mr.  Crist.  Edward  Curtis,  Og- 
den  Hoffman,  Moses  H.  Grinnell,  James  Bowen,  Simeon  Draper,  Jr.,  R.  M. 
Blatchford  and  Noah  Cook  were  there.  Mr.  Curtis  took  me  aside,  and,  after 
some  conversation,  advised  me  to  go  and  see  Mr.  Benedict,  and  associate  him  with 
Mr.  Crist  as  my  counsel.  Before  going  to  Mr.  Blatchford's  office,  Mr.  Crist  and 
myself  went  to  the  Alms  House,  and  waited  until  half  past  twelve  o'clock,  and 
none  of  the  court  appearing,  we  left.  I  returned  with  Mr.  Crist  from  Mr.  Blatch^ 
ford's  office,  and  found  Mr.  Justice  Matsell  and  the  District  Attorney.  (On  our 
■way  up,  I  stopped  and  saw  Mr.  Benedict;  he  promised  to  come,  as  Mr.  Crist  had 
business  at  Brooklyn,  and  was  obliged  to  leave. )  After  some  inquiries  by  Mr.  Crist, 
after  reading  my  affidavit  and  other  papers,  he  informed  me  that  I  was  at  Hberty 
to  leave  the  room,  that  there  was  no  authority  to  detain  me.  I  took  my  hat  and 
succeeded  in  getting  out  of  the  room,  and  was  arrested  in  the  passage  way  by  an 
•  officer,  who  was  placed  there  undoubtedly  to  prevent  my  egress.    I  came  into  the 


room  again  and  ascertained  that  I  was  arrested  on  a  warrant;  that  James  Yoilflg^ 

of  Philadelphia,  had  turned  states'  evidence,  and  made  an  affidavit  directly  char-*^ 
ging  these  frauds  upon  me.  And  I  subsequently  learned  that  Young  had  been  ab 
lowed  to  return  tu  Philadelphia  without  bail  for  his  appearance,  this  being  the  stip' 
ulation  made  for  him  by  his  counsel.  The  District  Attorney  now  proposed  to  ex- 
amine Mr.  Stevenson  as  complainant  against  me.  Mr.  Stevenson  said  that  he 
would  not  make  the  complaint  against  me  ;  that  he  "  would  rather  lie  and  rot  in 
the  Tombs  first," — (this,  I  think,  was  in  reply  to  Mr.  Whiting's  remark,  that  he 
would  coerce  him  to  testify) — that  no  power  under  Heaven  would  compel  him  to 
make  the  complaint."  In  this  state  of  things,  the  District  Attorney  determined  to 
make  the  affidavit  of  Young  the  ground  of  complaint,  and  to  examine  Mr.  Steven- 
son to  corroborate  the  same.  The  District  Attorney  now  proposed  my  examina- 
tion, and  in  reply  to  all  the  interrogatories  that  were  put  to  me,  I  declined  an  an- 
swer, by  the  advice  of  my  counsel,  Messrs.  Crist  and  Benedict.  At  about  three 
o'clock  I  was  allowed,  @n  my  parole  of  honor,  to  leave  for  an  hour  to  take  my  din- 
ner. On  my  return,  at  four  o'clock,  I  found  no  member  of  the  court  present,  but 
was  informed  by  an  officer  that  they  were  at  dinner  in  a  room  opposite.  1  went  in 
and  reported  myself;  the  District  Attorney,  Justice  Matsell  and  Mr.  Stevenson 
were  at  the  table  ;  they  asked  me  to  sit  down  with  them  at  the  table,  and  I  accep- 
ted the  invitation. 

On  the  re-assembling  of  the  Court,  the  District  Attorney  gave  notice  that  he 
would  oppose  my  being  admitted  to  bail  on  authority.  The  Recorder,  who  had 
been  absent,  having  arrived,  desired  to  have  time  to  consult  the  authorities,  and 
admitted  me  to  bail  for  my  appearance  on  Saturday  morning,  at  eleven  o'clock. 
I  was  bailed  at  about  ten  o'clock  at  night,  by  Mr.  Robert  B.  Coleman,  and  Mr. 
Charles  A.  Stetson,  of  the  Astor  House — myself  in  five  thousand  dollars,  and  e^ch 
of  them  in  twenty-five  hundred  dollars.  This  bail  was  furnished,  without  any  so- 
licitation on  my  part,  by  Mr.  Edward  Curtis.  On  Saturday  morning,  the  24th  of 
October,  1840,  I  attended,  with  my  Counsel,  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  At  about 
half-past  one  o'clock,  the  Recorder  having  arrived,  he  expressed  himself  ready  to 
hear  the  argument  as  to  the  question  of  bail.  This  my  Counsel  declined,  and 
claimed  that  I  should  be  admitted  to  bail  as  a  matter  of  right.  The  Recorder,  after 
consultation  with  the  District  Attorney  and  Justice  Matsell,  determined  to  receive 
bail  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars — five  thousand  dollars  for  myself,  and  two- 
sureties  each  in  twenty-five  hundred  dollars.  This  was  objected  to,  by  my  Coun- 
sel, ya  excessive,  as  the  alleged  offence  was  only  a  misdemeanor,  and  the  penalty 
for  which  was  "  a  fine  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  or  imprisonment  in  the 
counlyjail."  "  Well  then,"  said  the  Recorder,  "  I  will  commit  him — I  am  not 
afraid  to  take  the  responsibility."  A  commitment  was  accordingly  made  ont,  and 
I  was  placed  in  the  custody  of  an  officer.  Mr.  Benedict  and  Crist  accompanied 
me  to  the  City  Prison.  T  went  into  the  office  of  the  keeper.  Mr.  Benedict  left 
me  for  a  few  moments  for  aCommis-ioner.  He  had,  before  the  commitment  was 
made,  the  papers  prepared  to  sue  out  a  writ  of  hahea*  corpus.  Mr.  Benedict  res 
turned  with  a  Mr.  Dougherty,  a  Commissioner;  the  papers  were  taken  out  of  Mr. 
Benedict's  hat,  and  thrown  on  the  keeper's  desk,  and  he  and  Mr.  Crist  directed 
me  to  sign  my  name,  I  think  in  two  places,  which  I  did.  I  had  never  read  thepa- 
p«r8,  but  relied  entirely  upon  my  Counsel,  having  confidence  in  them.    I  liad  pr©% 


Viously,  and  at  the  time  I  called  on  Mr.  Benedict  frankly  told  him,  that  the  chargoff 

against  m9  were  true.  I  supposed  that  there  were  printed  forms  employed  in  cas 
ses  of  habeas  corpus,  instead  of  which  I  have  reason  now  to  believe  that  the  pas 
pers  I  signed  were  purposely  prepared  to  entrap  me,  and  that  it  was  done  under 
the  advisement  of  others.  Messrs.  Crist  and  Benedict  were  in  constant  commas 
nication  with  Mr.  Edward  Curtis,  and  others  of  the  party,  who  met  at  Mr. 
Curtis's  rooms  nightly  during  the  progress  of  these  investigations.  I  do 
not  consider  myself  as-  having  committed  any  moral  wrong,  in  swearing  to 
the  affidavit  thus  prepared  for  me.  I  was  imposed  upon,  never  entertaining 
the  most  distant  idea  that  my  counsel,  one  of  whom  was  made  acquainted  witb 
my  participatioQ  in  these  frauds,  would,  from  political  considerations  alone, 
lend  themselves  to  an  artifice  to  exact  from  me  an  indirect  denial  of  what  I  had 
admitted  in  my  examination,  and  which  one  of  them,  at  least,  knew  I  coald  not 
be  induced  to  deny.  That  these  plans  were  considered,  and  matured  by  oth- 
ers, admits  scarcely  of  a  doubt — the  sequel  will  shew  if  my  suspicions  were 
groundless. 

The  habeas  corpus  was  perfected;  my  counsel  accompanied  me  with  the  officer 
to  .Judge  Lynch ;  he  had  previously  received  intimation  to  remain  at  his  office. — 
The  Judge  was  there  ;  the  District  Attorney  was  sent  for ;  he  came,  and  claimed  a 
certain  time  to  prepare  himself  on  the  leturn  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus.  My 
counsel  appeared  to  be  ignorant  that  he  was  entitled  to  this  time,  as  a  matter  of 
right.    The  Tuesday  following  was  appointed  by  Judge  Lynch  to  hear  the  argu- 
ments ;  neither  of  my  counsel  attended,  the  arguinent  was  not  made,  and  the 
matter  remained  precisely  as  it  was  before  the  writ  was  sued  out.    I  was  com- 
pelled to  renew  my  bail,  in  the  same  amounts  as  I  had  before  given.    I  was  kept 
in  the  custody  of  an  officer,  during  the  whole  of  this  time,  and  until  nearly  nina 
o'clock  on  a  Saturday  night.    I  sent  repeatedly  to  Mr.  Stetson,  stating  my  situa- 
tion, and  to  Mr.  Curtis.    My  counsel  left  me  early  in  the  afternoon.    At  about 
eight  o'clock.  Judge  Lynch  accompanied  me  to  my  rooms,  at  the  Astor  House,  to 
provide  my  bail.    Isaw  Mr.  Stetson;  he  raised  objectioas  that  if  he  did  so,  he 
would  vitiate  his  agreement  with  his  partner,  and  one  of  them  was  absent,  &c.  &c. 
He  would  do  nothing  without  Mr.  Curtis's  advice,  who  was  his  counsel.    I  saw 
Mr.  Curtis,  and  he  said,  that  he  would  attend  to  it ;  and  I  also  sent  a  friend  for 
Mr.  Pearce,  who  came  down  immediately.    Mr.  Pearce  and  Charles  A,  Stetson 
became  my  bail,  each  in  twenty^five  hundred  dollars,  and  my  own  recognizance  was 
taken  for  five  thousand  dollars.    Mr.  Edward  Curtis  accompanied  Mr.  Stetson  to 
Judge  Lynch's  office.    I  was  from  the  commencement  opposed  to  this  matter  of 
habeas  corpus.    I  strenuously  resisted  it,  but  was  overruled  by  my  counsel.  The 
amount  of  bail  was  of  no  moment  to  me;  that  bail  I  well  knew  must  be  provided. 
What  was  the  necessity  to  outrage  mj  feelings,  and  the  feelings  of  my  family,  by 
this  course,  on  the  part  of  my  counsel  1    The  persons  who  had  become  my  bail 
were  satisfied  to  remain  so.    Why  was  I  subjected  to  this  mortification  ?    I  am 
perfectly  satisfied  from  these  facts,  and  the  additional  reason,  that  one  of  my  coun- 
sel was  suggested  by  Mr.  Curtis,  that  he  and  others  had  them  under  their  entire 
control.    My  bail,  as  far  as  Mr.  Stetson  was  concerned,  was  arranged  by  Mr. 
Curtis,  through  Mr.  Crist,  and  his  clerk,  or  partner  in  the  first  instance.  My 
counsel  were  in  constant  communication  with  Mr.  Curtis  and  others,  at  his  rooms. 


39 


Tbey  could  not  move  without  prompting.  Did  they  consider  themselves  as  my 
Counsel,  or  as  the  counsel  of  the  parties,  who  it  was  charged  participated  in  these 
frauds  ?  Are  the  papers  invariably  employed  in  this  city  by  counsel  to  sue  eut  th6 
writ  of  habeas  corpus  printed  forms  ?  If  so,  why  the  necessity  of  annexing  any 
thing  more  ?    Comment  is  unnecessary ;  the  reason  is  obvious  on  its  very  face. 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  October,  1840,  Mr.  Edward  Curtis  then  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  the  city  of  New  York,  now  the  Collector  of  the  Port,  called 
on  me  at  my  rooms,  at  the  Astor  House.  After  some  considerable  conversation 
on  the  subject  of  these  frauds,  and  of  the  charges  then  understood  to  have  been 
made  by  Mr.  Stevenson,  he  requested  me  to  make  an  affidavit,  to  counteract  any  in- 
jurious consequences  that  might  result  frorn  these  disclosures.  /  told  him  that  t 
could  not  do  it :  that  the  charges  made  by  Mr.  Stevenson  were,  in  the  main 
facts,  correct ;  and  that  the  information  he  had  received  from  me,  in  relation  to 
these  frauds,  was  for  the  purpose  ef  securing  my  re-appointthent  as  Tobacco  In- 
spector, an  object  in  vphich  he,  as  owner  of  the  warehouse,  had  an  interest  in  ef- 
fecting. 

I  alluded  to  the  persecutions  of  some  of  my  political  friends.  Mr.  Curtis  re- 
marked that  he  understood  my  position.  On  leaving,  he  asked  me  to  come  to  his 
rooms.  General  George  S.  Doughty  was  present  in  my' room,  and  also  in  Mr. 
Curtis's  room,  with  Mr.  Bowen  and  Mr.  Blatchford.  Mr.  Curtis  produced  an 
affidavit,  v;hich  he  read,  and  which  he  wished  me  to  sign.  I  objected  to  signing 
it,  OB  the  ground  that  it  was  untrue,  and  gave  a  false  coloring  to  the  transaction. 
Mr.  Curtis  replied,  "I  know  your  position.  Do  you  think  I  would  suffer  you  to 
make  an  affidavit,  unless  i^  was  sufficiently  guarded.''^  I  read  the  affidavit  over, 
and  again  repeated  my  objection.  Mr.  Curtis  replied  with  some  warmth,  "Iknovf 
halo  you  stand;  I  know  all  about  it;  it  is  special  pleading.'^  This  is  th-  lan- 
guage, as  near  as  I  now  recollect,  and  certainly  the  substance  of  the  conversation 
that  then  and  there  passed. 

I  considered  Mr.  Curtis  as  my  counsel.  I  had,  although  it  was  a  matter  of  su- 
pererogation, told  him  of  my  active  participation  in  these  frauds.  I  signed  the 
paper.  Mr.  Blatchford,  Mr.  Bowen  and  myself,  had  a  good  deal  of  conversation 
together.  I  expressed  my  regret  that  I  had  ever  accepted  office.  I  directed  Mr. 
Bowen's  attention  to  the  fact  of  his  having  called  on  me  after  the  result  of  the 
election'was  known  in  the  fall  of  the  year  1838,  at  my  store,  in  Broad  street,  and: 
asking  me  if  I  wanted  any  office,  and  that  I  declined,  and  said,  that  all  I  had  to  ask 
of  my  party  friends  was,  that  they  would  direct  their  business  in  my  way.  er  to' 
this  efiect. 

I  also  told  Mr.  Blatchford  what  Dr.  Samuel  R.  Childs  had  said  ;  which  he  un- 
qualifiedly denied.  [This  matter  will  be  stated  hereafter.]  I  accompanied  Mr. 
Curtis  to  a  commissioner's  in  Nassau  street.  On  the  way,  I  again  expressed  my- 
self as  not  being  perfectly  satisfied,  and  said  to  Mr.  Curtis,  "  don't  suffer  me  to  d4 
tkii,  unless  it  is  all  right.^'  He  again  replied,  "  I  understand  your  position,  it  is 
all  right."  At  this  time,  I  was  under  great  excitement,  and,  therefore,  did  not 
examine  the  affidavit  as  particularly,  as  under  other  circumstances  I  would  have 
done.  And  that  coupled  with  the  confidence  I  had  in  the  gentlemen  in  Mr.  Cur- 
tis's room,  and  in  his  counsel,  induced  tne  to  make  the  affidavit. 

The  next  morning,  having  become  satisfied  that  I  had  been  deceired  in  relation 


SI 


to  the  bearing  of  this  affidav.t,  I  called  on  Mr.  Curtia,  and  told  him  that  it  wa« 
wrong,  and  that  my  name  must  be  taken  from  it.  Mr.  Curtis  thea  took  the  affida- 
vit from  his  pocket,  and  tore  my  name  from  it.  In  a  short  time  afterwardis  I  again 
called  en  Mr.  Curtis,  and  insisted  on  a  return  of  the  affidavit.  Mr.  Curtis  took  it 
from  his  pocket,  and,  with  considerable  warmth,  tore  it  into  pieces  and  handed  it 
to  me.  The  original  affidavit,  in  the  hand-writing  of  Mr.  Curtis,  is  under  my  con- 
trol. There  are  other  circumstances  connected  with  this  affidavit  that  place  Mr. 
Curtis  in  no  very  enviable  Hght. 

It  was  previously  prepared  and  I  think  before  Mr.  Curtis's  interview  with  me  ; 
and  the  evidence  of  the  fact  is,  that  Mr.  Curtis,  and  the  parties  who  prepared  it, 
were  ignorant  of  the  christiac-name  of  Mr.  Pearce,  and  left  it  in  blank  ;  aad  af- 
terwards, when  I  informed  them,  he  inserted  it.  1  have,  within  a  few  weeks, 
been  informed,  (and  I  believe  that  I  can  sustain  the  fact  by  good  and  substantial  evi- 
dence,) that  after  I  had  objected  to  signing  this  affidavit,  on  the  ground*  before 
named,  one  of  the  gentlemen  present  remonstrated,  and  objected  to  anything  fur- 
ther being  said  to  induce  me  to  sign  it;  that  Mr.  Curtis  replied,  "  Why,  damn 
him,  if  he  will  swear  to  it,  let  kim.'^  Again,  only  a  few  weeks  since,  as  recently  as 
the  12th  instant,  in  recurring  to  this  interview  in  a  conversation  with  General 
Doughty,  (who,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  present  at  Mr.  Curtis's  room  at  the 
time)  he  said  that  he  recollected  that  I  objected  to  a  certain  expression,  or  sen- 
tence, and  wished  it  altered  or  qualified,  and  that  Mr.  Curtis  altered  it;  but  that, 
instead  of  qualifying,  he  thought  it  rather  strengthened  it.  I  have  no  comment  to 
make.    It  is  not  my  purpose  to  assail,  or  to  gratify  any  personal  feeling. 

They  could  not  induce  me  to  deny  the  general  accuracy  of  Mr.  Stevenson's 
charges.  I  knew  myself  guilty  of  participation  in  those  frauds,  and  I  have  no  he- 
sitation in  saying,  that  at  this  time,  if  I  had  been  so  lost  to  all  moral  obligation  as 
to  have  resigned  myself  and  conscience  into  the  keeping  of  Mr.  Curtis,  and 
my  supposed  friends,  that  I  would  not  only  have  been  sustained  in  my  office, 
but  that  I  would  have  been  restored  to  the  confidence  of  Governor  Seward,  and 
the  leaders  of  tho  party ;  that  anything  would  have  been  conceded  to  me.  But  I 
could  not  bring  my  mind  to  add  to  the  deep  damnation  that  already  encompassed 
me,  by  an  act  that  would  not  only  have  forever  forfeited  my  own  self-esteem,  but 
the  respect  of  those  whom  I  was  then  desirous  to  screen,  but  not  at  such  cost.  It 
is  true,  that  I  looked  at  the  alternative.  I  saw  myself  dragged  forth  to  the  brink 
of  a  precipice,  to  he  crushed  with  the  weight  of  public  od.ium.  I  saw  the  arrows 
of  a  fierce  and  malignant  persecution  concentrate  on  my  head  alone,  as  the  master- 
spirit of  the  crime.  I  saw  myself,  in  prospective,  stripped  of  office,  my  family 
beggared,  and  my  name  and  character  about  to  be  stigmatised  with  disgrace.  I  con- 
fess that  I  was  staggered  by  the  appalling  abyss  in  which  I  alone  was  to  be  engulph- 
ed.  Still,  I  could  not  be  induced  to  swerve  from  what  I  considered  to  be  right. 
No  other  sentiment  than  that  of  honorable  devotion  to  the.-je  men  and  the  party, 
governed  my  conduct.  How  these  sacrifices — how  the  misery  I  have  endured  for 
more  than  a  year  past,  were  appreciated,  and  have  been  repaid,  the  public  already 
know. 

On  the  23d  day  of  October,  1840,  I  had  another  interview  with  Mr.  Edward 
Curtis,  at  his  rooms  at  the  Astor  House,  at  which  interview  I  gave  him  the  facts 
(Connected  with  my  visit  at  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt's  house.    I  was  desirous  to  regain 


3» 

possession  of  the  receipts,  memoranda,  Sec.  &c.,  and  to  prevent  any  further  agita- 
lion  of  the  matter.  This  I  thought  could  be  effected,  as  whatever  information  had 
been  communicated  by  JNIr,  Stevenson,  was  corcm.unicated,.  as  I  understood,  on 
a  pledge  of  honor,  not  to  be  used  unless  my  consent  was  first  obtained  ;  and  I  have 
no  doubt,  so  far  as  the  agitation  of  these  frauds  were  concerned,  that  but  for  the 
appearance  of  Mr.  James  Young,  and  his  arrest,  that  the  knowledge  Mr.  Ste- 
venson and  others  were  in  possession  of,  would  not  have  transpired,  at  least  at  that 
time.  It  was  argued  that  my  indiscretion  had  brought  the  Whig  party  to  this  ex- 
tremity, and  that  I  ought  to  do  all  I  could  to  relieve  them,  and  counteract  the 
statement  of  Mr.  Stevenson,  then  published  for  the  first  time  in  the  papers  of  that 
morning.  Colonel  Hamilton,  Mr.  Curtis,  and  myself,  were  the  only  persons  pre- 
■sent.  I  stated  the  facts,  and  Mr.  Curtis  commenced  v/riting  an  affidavit.  This  af- 
fidavit was  taken  before  J.  O.  Pirsson,  Commissioner  of  Deeds,  on  the  23d  day 
of  October,  1840,  and  has  been  extensively  published.  In  the  commencement  of 
this  affidavit  the  following  sentence  occurs  :  "That  within  the  last  thirty  days,  at 
different  times  and  places,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  he  has  been  applied  to,  by 
Jonathan  D.  Stevenson,  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  United  States  District  Attorney, 
Jesse  Hoyt,  Collector,  and  John  W.  Edmonds,  to  make  statements  that  should 
implicate  Governor  Seward,  and  the  leading  friends  of  the  Governor  in  New- York, 
in  a  charge  of  having  countenanced  frauds  at  the  election  in  New-York,  in  the 
year  1838."  When  this  sentence  was  read  over  by  Mr.  Curtis,  I  stated  that  I  had 
never  been  applied  to  by  them,  (meaning  Messrs.  Butler,  Hoyt  and  Edmonds)  to 
make  implications,  or  received  from  them  any  assurances  that  I  should  be  appoint- 
ed to  office  if  they  were  made.  Mr.  Curtis  then  replied:  "  Vou  do  not  swear  ^ 
they  all  applied  to  yon;  it  is  sufficient  that  Stevenson  has."  This  was 
the  precise  language  I  think  Mr.  Curtis  used;  it  is  certainly  the  substance.  On 
receiving  this  explanation,  I  signed  the  affidavit,  and,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Curtis, 
went  to  the  office  of  the  Commissioner.  Pre\aous,  however,  to  which,  before.Ieav- 
ing  the  Astor  House,  Mr.  Curtis  opened  the  room  adjoining  his  rooms,  and  called 
Hugh  Maxwell,  Esq.  out,  and  sa:d:  "  Mr.  Maxtoell,  I  want  you  to  witness  thai 
this  affidavit  is  made  without  any  promise  of  reward  to  Mr.  Glentworth."  I  think 
that  there  were  in  the  room  from  which  Mr.  Maxwell  was  called,  many  of  the  lead- 
ing members  of  the  Whig  party  from  Albany,  and  from  different  parts  of  the  state, 
who  were  congregated  there  on  this  business.  W^hen  I  was  first  solicited  to  make 
this  affidavit,  I  declined  peremptorily  doing  anything.  I  had  determined  to  wait 
the  action  of  others,  and  to  be  governed  accordingly,  and  to  remain  perfectly  quiet; 
and  it  was  only  at  the  solicitation  referred  to,  and  with  a  pledge  from  Mr.  Curtis, 
and  that  pledge  made  to  another,  that  I  should  not  be  sacrificed,  that  I  should  be 
sustained,  that  I  consented  to  make  it.  But  had  I  understood  its  legal  bearing  I 
would  not  have  done  it.  How  that  pledge  has  been  redeemed,  the  sequel  will 
show. 

At  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  this  day,  Colonel  J.  Watson  Webb  cal- 
led on  me  at  my  rooms,  and  requested  me  to  place  my  name  to  a  printed  proof  of 
the  affidavit  made  on  that  morning.  I  did  not  read  it  over,  and  had  no  means  of 
comparing  it  with  the  original,  which  was  in  possession  of  Mr.  Curtis. 

About  the  20th  November,  1840,  I  sent  word  to  Mr.  Bowen,  having  heard  that 
fa«  had  just  returned  from  Albany,  that  I  wished  to  see  him.    He  came  on  the  next 


83 

^ay  at  tbout  a  quatfer  before  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  said  ihat  he  had  not  re* 
teived  my  message  in  time  for  him  to  call.  (At  this  time  Mr.  Bowen  was  residing 
about  nine  miles  from  the  city — he  subsequently  took  up  his  residence  at  the  As- 
ter House*)  He  said  that  he  had  seen  the  Governor  during  his  recent  visit  at  Al- 
bany, and  that  he  laughed  a  good  deal  at  (what  he  termed)  the  conspiracy ;  that 
he  had  said  nothing  about  displacing  me.  Mn  Bowen  remarked  that  he  had  no 
Opportunity  to  speak  to  the  Governor,  or  to  know  his  views  on  this  subject ;  and 
•aid,  "  of  course  you  want  to  hold  on  to  your  ojffice."  I  replied  that  I  did;  that 
I  had  suffered  enough  already,  and  that  they  were  bound  in  honor  to  sustain  me,  oi^ 
to  this  effect.  He  said  that  he  had  alvvays  been  a  warm  friend  of  mine,  and  that 
he  had  used  his  influence  in  my  favor  when  an  attempt  was  made  to  remove  mb 
last  winter*  He  advised  me  to  remain  perfectly  quiet,  and  if  there  was  fifty  neceSN 
sity  to  move,  Mr.  Draper  or  himself  would  see  me.  Something  was  said  about  thfe 
letter  Mr.  Havens  brought  on ;  that  Draper  had  told  him  that  I  had  the  letter,flind 
that  it  was  written  by  him.  This  he  disclaimed,  and  said  that  he  had  nothing  to 
do  with  the  operation  in  the  spring  of  1839.  He  said  that  Mr.  Havens  had  cal- 
led upon  him  for  the  funds,  and  to  ask  instructions,  and  that  he  had  told  him  that  he 
had  nothing  to  do  with  it ;  and  that  Havens  had  also  called  on  Mr.  Blatchford  for 
the  same  purpose.  I  informed  him  that  Mr.  Draper  had  misunderstood  me  ;  that 
I  had  in  no  way  connected  him  with  the  affair  in  1839,  or  Mr.  Havens  ;  that  the 
letter  in  my  possession  was  the  one  from  him  sent  on  by  Mr.  Ford  to  me  at  PhiN 
ftdelphia.  "  Yes,  but  that  was  in  '38/'  was  his  reply — "  the  one  that  Blatchford, 
^rinnell  and  Draper  refer  to."  Oh  no,  said  I,  I  mean  the  letter  that  Ford 
Actually  brought  on,  and  not  the  Copy  of  a  letter  read  by  Mr.  Blatchford  and  oth» 
ers.  I  also  informed  him  that  Mr.  Draper,  a  few  days  previously,  had  admitted 
to  me  that  he  was  not  certain  whether  this  letter  was  sent  by  Ford  or  by  mail.— 
I  told  him  that  I  had  another  person  in  my  power.  He  replied,  "  Oh  yes,  but  let 
him  alone  and  keep  quiet."  This  he  enjoined  upon  me  repeatedly  during  our  in- 
terview. I  called  his  attention  to  a  call  of  a  meeting  of  merchants,  traders,  &c. 
ice.  in  the  papers  of  that  morning,  at  the  Second  Ward  Hotel,  for  the  purpose  of 
recommending  a  suitable  person  for  Tobacco  Inspector.  He  said  that  he  had  seen 
ft,  and  that  it  was  a  loco  feco  movement. 

Efforts  were  first  mado  to  indict  me,  before  the  Grand  Inquest,  at  the  Novem- 
ber term>  and  failed  ;  the  charges  were  thrown  out.  During  this  period,  I  was  in 
frequent  communication  with  Mr.  Curtis  and  the  parties-  who  were  charged  with 
participation  in  these  frauds.  Another  attempt  was  made  to  indict  me  at  the  De- 
cember term,  and  failed.  I  had  several  interviews  and  conversations  with  some 
©f  the  members  of  the  Grand  Jury.  I  received  a  note  from  one  of  the  members  of 
the  Grand  Jury,  which  note  I  subsequently  showed  to  Alderman  Egbert  Benson,  at 
my  rooms,  and  he  asked  me  to  allow  him  to  destroy  it,  which  I  acceded  to.  I 
iiave  seen  a  member  of  the  Grand  Jury  repeatedly  go  into  Mr.  Curtis's  room,  and 
have  received  a  visit,  at  my  rooms,  from  another  member,  who  was  an  entire  stran- 
ger to  me. 

On  Thursday  evening,  the  12th  November,  1840,  I  met  Mr.  Blatchford  and  Mr. 
Draper  in  Broadway,  near  the  corner  of  Warren  street,  at  about  6  o'clock.  They 
■poke  famiharly  to  me,  and  we  crossed  the  street,  and,  after  a  few  minutes  co«- 
▼ersatioD,  went  into  the  Park,  to  avoid,  I  suppose,  observation.    A  good  deal  of 

5 


34 


Conversation  took  place  between  us.  I  informed  them  that  I  had  started  ilpoft  a 
legitimate  proposition,  and  whatever  I  had  said  to  Mr.  Stevenson  was  done  with  a 
view  of  strengthening  myself  in  reference  to  my  re-appointment.  I  adverted  to  the 
persecutions  I  had  experienced  from  Mr.  Wetmore  and  some  of  his  friends;  that 
Mr.  Stevenson  did  not  receive  his  information  of  my  participation  in  these  frauds, 
in  the  first  instance,  from  me;  that  the  onus  of  divulging  the  confidential  operations 
of  the  party  rested  upon  the  person  ©r  persons  who  first  gave  Mr.  Stevenson  thia 
information,  eighteen  months  previously.  They  both  expressed  their  friendship 
for  me,  and  desire  and  determination  to  stand  by  me.  Mr.  Blatchford  told  me 
that  he  had  seen  Dr.  Samuel  R.  Childs,  and  had  asked  him  if  he  (Mr.  Blatchford) 
had  ever  said  that  I  ought  to  be  removed  from  office,  or  spoken  disparagingly  of 
me;  or  if  he  (Mr.  Blatchford)  had  ever  said  to  him,  in  reply  to  the  remark  of  Dr. 
Childs,  "  that  I  would  bloio  the  whole  of  them  to  the  devil,  let  him  do  it  as 
soon  as  he  pleases,"  or  to  this  effect — and  that  Dr.  Childs  denied  ever  having  given 
me  this  information.  (I  had  mentioned  this  matter  to  Mr.  Blatchford  a  few  days 
previously,  I  think  in  Mr.  Curtis's  parlor.)  Whether  Dr.  Childs  abricated  the 
story,  (as  there  was  not,  from  what  he  said  to  me,  any  very  kind  tellings  existing 
between  him.  Governor  Seward,  and  the  Governor's  confidential  friends,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  management  which  prevented  his  appointment  as  Health  Officer,)  or 
whether  it  was  true  in  all  its  parts,  I  do  not  pretend  to  say.  The  question  of  vera- 
city is  between  them.  Mr.  Draper  appeared  to  have  forgotten  all  about  the  cir- 
cumstances. He  asked  me  whether  it  was  a  check  or  draft  he  gave  me  on  Mr. 
Gill,  of  Philadelphia.  I  replied  direct  to  this  question ;  but  when  he  aaked  me, 
"  did  I  not  swear  correct  or  true  in  my  affidavit,''  I  made  no  reply,  but  turned  his 
attention  to  some  other  circumstance,  and  thus  parried  his  question  several  times. 
Mr.  Blatchford  remarked,  that  the  first  impression  was  that  there  was  colLsioa 
between  Mr.  Stevenson  and  myself,  and  went  on  to  say,  "  but  when  ikey  saw  the 
atand  J  made,  and  firmness  I  evinced  during  the  investigations,  they  were  sat- 
isfied that  I  was  true.^^  Mr.  Blatchford  repeatedly  said,  "  why,  we  have  stood  by 
you;  hav'nt  we  carried  you  right  through,"  (alluding  to  their  examinations  before 
the  Recorder.)  Mr.  Blatchford  said  that  he  would  never  forgive,  if  he  were  in  my 
place,  Mr.  Hall,  for  deserting  me  at  a  time  when  I  so  much  required  counsel  and 
support,  or  to  this  effect.  They  both  repeatedly  assured  me  of  their  kind  feelings 
towards  me,  and  «l  the  confidence  they  felt  that  I  would  never  act  a  traitor's  part 
towards  them  or  the  party.  Just  as  we  were  parting,  and  in  reply  to  a  remark 
that  jwas  made  in  reference  to  Mr.  Hall's  deserting  me,  Mr.  Blatchford  said  :— 
"  You  understand  why  we  have  not  come  forward  and  keen  with  you."  I  re** 
plied,  of  course,  that  I  did ;  that  it  would  not  have  done  for  them  to  have  been 
seen  with  me,  and  that  I  was  satisfied.  In  going  out  of  the  gate,  Mr.  Blatchford 
said :  "  If  we  do  not  come  to  see  you,  the  same  reasons  still  operate  to  prevent  us." 
And  Mr.  Draper  replied:  "  Why,  if  you  want  to  see  us,  yoa  can  send  a  note."  I 
said  that  I  would,  and  we  parted.  During  this  conversation,  some  facts  were  adn 
verted  to  by  me  of  an  entire  personal  character,  and  which  have  no  reference  to 
these  frauds.  While  we  stood  talking  in  the  I'ark,  near  the  Warren  street  gate, 
Mr.  Thurlow  Weed,  and  Mr.  Spencrr  Benedict,  of  Albany,  (on  their  way  througlj 
I  he  Park  to  the  Court,  to  attend,  as  one  of  them  said.  Captain  Stephen  Roe's  trial 
or  running  the  steamboat  Dc  Witt  Clinton  into  the  Nai)oleon,)  stopped  a  moment. 


35 


and  spoke  to  Messra.  Blatchford  and  Draper.  I  do  not  know  that  they  recognized 
me:  it  Wis  quite  dark. 

On  Saturday,  the  14th  November,  1840,  I  met  Mr.  Draper,  in  company  with 
Mr.  Sidney  Brooks,  in  the  hall  of  the  Astor  House.  I  spoke  to  them,  and  asked 
Mr.  Draper  to  come  up  in  my  parlor  and  see  me,  which  he  did  in  a  few  minutes 
afterwards,  I  told  him  that  1  had  received  a  note,  which  I  read  to  him,  from 
Mr.  Pearce,  declining  any  further  advances  to  me.  I  said  that  it  would  be  uses 
less  for  me  to  hold  the  office  for  the  remainder  of  the  term,  unless  I  realized  some 
advantage  from  it.  Ke  said  that  the  papers  v/ere  assailing  Governor  Seward,  and 
charging  him  with  being  afraid  to  remove  me;  that  appearances,  and  public  opin- 
ion, might  require  a  change.  I  asked  him  if  he  thought  it  practicable  for  me  to 
secure  a  part  of  the  income  of  the  office  by  resigning.  He  said  that  he  thought 
some  arrangement  might  be  made,  so  soon  as  the  person  was  determined  upon, 
but  that  he  must  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  term  j  ;  we  must  manage  that  our- 
selves. I  named  Alderman  Benson;  Mr.  Draper  was  very  much  taken  with  it. 
Something  was  said,  that  a  person  who  had  been  charged  with  participation  in 
these  frauds,  but  particularly  in  the  frauds  of  the  year  1839,  denied  all  agency  or 
knowledge  of  the  affair.  I  told  Mr.  Draper  that  I  should  like  that  person  to 
call  at  my  rooms,  and  that  I  would  refresh  his  memory,  or  have  a  talk  with  him, 
and  satisfy  him  that  I  had  the  means  to  fix  it  upon  him  conclusively.  He  replied  : 
I  wish  to  God  you  could  ;  but  it  will  not  do." 

During  the  day,  (Saturday,  November  14th,)  Mr.  Draper  left  word  with  Mr. 
Samuel  Coleman  that  he  would  call  on  me,  at  my  rooms,  at  seven  o'clock.  He 
■called  at  the  time  stated,  and  expressed  a  wish  that  before  he  moved  in  the  mat- 
ter we  had  conversed  about  in  the  morning,  to  see  the  papers  I  had  in  my  posses- 
sion relating  to  the  frauds.  He  ssked  if  I  had  any  objection  to  his  seeing  them  ;  if 
so,  that  they  might  be  examined  by  some  other  person.  That  they  would  not  ask 
that  the  papers  should  be  taken  from  my  custody,  or  burnt,  until  every  thing  was 
arranged  to  my  entire  satisfaction,  and  until  whatever  it  was  agreed  I  should  re- 
ceive from  the  office,  was  secured  to  me  by  notes  or  in  some  other  way.  That  the 
person  selected  £o  fill  my  place,  when  approached,  might  be  restive,  and  think  that 
he  could  get  the  whole  office,  and  that  it  should  be  secured  beforehand.  I  told 
him  that  the  papers  were  in  Colonel  Hamilton's  possession  for  safe  keeping.  He 
inquired  if  they  were  sealed.  1  said  yes.  He  did  not  wish  Colonel  Hamilton  to 
know  any  thing  about  his  seeing  me,  and  said  if  I  wanted  him  to  do  any  thing 
I  must  treat  him  with  confidence  and  frankness.  In  reply  to  his  remark  that 
the  letter  he  and  others  swore  to  was  sent  to  me  by  Ford,  I  told  him  (as  I  had 
previously  done  in  presence  of  Mr.  Blatchford,  at  his  house,  the  morning  after  my 
being  subpoenaed,  and  when  he  read  what  he  said  was  a  copy  of  a  letter  sent  tome 
by  Ford,  that  "  I  had  never  received  that  letter,  and  that  I  then  heard  it  read  for 
the  first  time,") — the  letter  sent  to  me  by  Ford  was  still  in  my  possession.  He  ap- 
peared desirous  that  I  should  get  the  papers  the  next  day.  I  told  him  no,  for  Co- 
lonel Hamilton  will  suspect  something.  It  was  then  proposed  that  I  should  defer 
it  for  a  few  days,  and  that  when  I  was  ready,  and  wished  to  see  him,  I  could  write 
a  note  to  him.  After  leaving  the  parlor,  and  when  he  got  near  the  stairs,  he  came 
back .  I  stood  in  the  door,  and  he  cautioned  mc  to  keep  the  matter  from  Colonel 
Hamilten.  One  reason  assigned  by  Mr.  Draper  during  this  conversation,  was 
that  Celonel  Hamilton  disliked  hira.    He  said  that  on  a  recent  occasion,  when 


36 

Colonel  HamiltoH  came  into  the  room,  where  some  of  our  paity  friencla  were 
consulting,  (at  the  Astor  House,  during  the  investigation  before  the  Recorder,)  he, 
Mr,  Draper,  had  treated  Colonel  Hamilton  roughly,  because  he  insinuated  that  he 
knew  of  our  participation  in  these  frauds. 

On  the  25th  of  November.  1840,  I  sent  a  note  to  Mr.  Draper,  asking  him  to 
call  at  my  rooms.  I  was  desirous  to  see  him,  having  received  a  note  from  one  of 
the  grand  jurors,  (which  note  was  subsequently  burnt  by  my  consent,  by  Mr.  Ben- 
son,) and  being  informed  that  there  was  some  apprehension  that  I  would  be  in- 
dicted. Mr.  Draper  called,  aad  when  I  informed  him  of  what  I  had  learnt,  ha 
tol,d  me  that  he  had  seen  Mr.  Richard  Mount,  and  that  he  would  send  up  some 
persons,  who  would  impeach  Mr.  Stevenson.  Mr.  Draper,  during  this  interview^ 
alluded  to  my  resigning ;  that  I  could  do  something  now,  but  that  in  a  short  tiipp 
I  would  find  myself  in  a  situation  were  I  could  make  no  arrangement.  He  pro- 
posed my  seeing  Mr.  Edward  Curtis,  provided  I  was  disposed  to  resign.  I  as- 
sented to  see  Mr.  Edward  Curtis.  In  the  evening  at  about  seven  o'clock,  Mr.  Ed- 
ward Curtis  came  to  my  parlor;  part  of  my  family  were  in  the  room  at  the  time ; 
after  they  went  out,  Mr.  Curtis  asked  me,  if  I  was  prepared  to  make  the  arranger 
ment.  "  Were  are  the  papers?^'  I  replied,  in  Colonel  Hamilton's  charge. — 
"  Then  you  can  do  nothing  vnless  you  have  them."  He  desired  to  know  my 
views.  I  said  that  I  was  disposed  to  resign,  provided  a  certain  amount  could  be 
secured  to  me.  That  I  would  take  the  receipts  from  the  storage,  or  refuse  tobap- 
co.  He  said,  "no;  whatever  is  given,  must  be  given  out  and  out,  for  your  unex- 
pired term."  I  asked  him  if  he  had  any  idea  of  the  emoluments  of  the  office.  He 
said,  *•  oh  yes  ;  some  seven  or  eight  thousand  dollars  a  year."  I  replied  that  it  was 
worth  more.  After  some  considerable  conversation  and  parleying,  he  made  me  a 
distinct  offer  of  two  thousand  dollars,  which  1  declined.  He  then  said,  "  why,  that 
is  equal  to  eight  thousand  dollars  a  year,  for  you  have  but  about  two  months  of 
your  term,"  or  to  this  effect.  It  is  all  you  can  get ;  it  is  the  ultimatum."  Oi\ 
leaving,  he  said,  "  it  is  of  no  use  io  see  me  again,  unless  you  acceed  to  my  pro- 
position ;  and  after  to-morrotc  morning  you  may  consider  it  at  an  end,  for  if  1 
were  to  offer  you  four  thousand  dollars,  Colonel  Hamilton  would  tell  you  not  io 
take  less  than  eight  thousand  dollars."  During  this  conversation  Mr.  Curtis 
alluded  to  an  afBdavit  sent  to  Governor  Seward.  He  said,  "  so  you  have  been 
making  an  affidavi'."  I  replied,  that  I  had  not;  it  was  made  by  Mr.  Stevenson. 
Mr.  Curtis  said  that  the  Governor  had  not  received  it.  Mr,  Curtis  also  alladed  to 
n?y  threatening  the  parties  implicated  in  these  frauds.  This  I  denied.  But  you 
have  suid  that  you  have  papers,  &c.,  showing  their  participation.  I  replied 
that  I  may  have  said  bo,  and  that  it  was  true.  "  But  you  have  no  letters."  said 
I^r.  Curtis,  "  Oh  yes,  I  have,  and,  among  others,  the  very  letter,  Mr.  Ford 
l)rought  on  to  me."  The  other,  said  to  have  been  sent,  I  never  received,  and  know 
nothing  about,  it  Tho  original  letter  I- have  is  written  by  Mr.  Bovven  .  Allusion 
was  m^de  to  the  frauds  of  1839,  and  the  active  participation  of  others  referred  tp 
by  me,  the  circumstances  under  which  I  consented,  and  the  stipulations  made,  be- 
fore I  would  have  anything  to  do  with  it.  Mr.  Curtis's  reply  to  all  this  was,  "  But 
you  won't  be  believed."  I  then  said  that  I  thanked  God  that  it  did  not  depend 
alone  upon  my  declarations,  and  that  I  had  evidcnca  sufficient  to  substantiate  all  I 
might  charge. 

In  thufl  refusing  Mr  Curtis's  offer  of  two  thousand  dollars  for  my  papers,  let  not 


37 


iy*y  morives  be  impagned  as  mercenary  ;  let  it  not  be  supposed  that  I  was  in  tbe 
narket,  ready  to  be  purchased  up  by  either  or  any  party  that  would  give  the  most 
Tor  them.  Those  documents  were  all  I  possessed  to  prove  the  intimate  participa- 
:ion  of  others  in  these  discreditable  transactions.  They  were  the  only  means  left 
me  to  relieve  myself  of  at  least  a  part  of  the  odium  that  otherwise  would  have  at* 
tached  itself  to  my  name,  and  thus  have  affected  my  children.  And  it  was,  and 
has  always  been  my  determination,  when  the  time  arrived — when,  with  honor,  a 
proper  regard  to  my  personal  safety,  and  when  party  feeling  and  strife  had  subsid- 
ed, and  given  place  to  cool,  deliberate  reflection,  to  lay  before  the  public  these  doC"» 
uments  and  narratives.  I  have  now  done  so,  without  the  interference  or  solicita^ 
lion  of  others.  It  is  my  own  act,  uninfluenced  by  any  one.  1  have  neither  asked, 
or  received  any  favor  or  gratuity.  I  present  them  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  the 
people,  and  throw  myself  on  their  intelligence  and  generosity,  assured,  in  my  own 
miad,  that  they  will  accord  to  these  pages  a  candid  perusal. 

After  the  conversation  last  alluded  to,  with  Mr.  Curtis,  on  the  same  evening,  at 
about  eight  o'clock,  I  saw  Mr.  Caleb  Little,  a  member  of  the  Grand  Jury,  Mr. 
Mount  and  Mr.  Brooks,  of  the  Express,  together,  in  the  rotunda  of  the  Astor 
House,  in  conversation.  Mr.  Mount  informed  me  that  some  persons  would  go 
before  the  Grand  Jury,  the  next  morning,  to  impeach  Mr.  Stevenson.  This  I 
knew  could  not  be  done:  his  standing  and  integrity  as  an  honorable  and  high'* 
minded  man,  would  protect  him  from  any  successful  attack  ef  that  character. 

On  Thursday  morning,  December  23d,  1840,  I  was  in  the  reading  room  of  the 
KstoT  House,  looking  over  the  Albany  Evening  Journal.  Doctor  John  S.  Bow- 
•on  came  up.  and  said  :  "  Fow  do  you  do,  Glentworth  ?"  I  replied,  "  Why,  dec- 
or, how  is  it  that  you  speak  so  familiarly  to  me  now,  when,  fer  tbe  last  three 
months,  you  have  scarcely  recognised  me  ?"  He  replied:  "  Why,  I  thougbt  you 
meant  to  injure  the  party;  if  you  had  svfferedthe  others  to  meet  what  they  de- 
terve,  you  would  have  done  right."  We  had  a  good  deal  of  conversation  about 
my  being  persecuted  on  all  sides,  and  about  my  position  not  being  understood  by 
the  public.  He  went  on  to  say  :  "  Why,  don't  you  recollect  my  being  at  Masonic 
Hall  during  one  of  the  days  of  the  electian,  in  the  spring  of  1839?  [  wanted  to 
see  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  and  was  told  down  town  that  I  would  find  him  at 
Masonic  Hall.  I  wanted  him  to  take  charge  of  a  letter  to  Mr.  Penrose,  (I  think 
this  is  the  name,  but  am  not  positive.)  I  stopped  on  my  way  home,  saw  Noah 
Cook  and  yourself,  and  saw  him  change  coats  with  a  man."  In  reply  to  the  quess 
tion,  "Doctor,  did  you  see  me  interfere,  or  do  anything?"  he  said,  "No;  but  I 
heard  you  ask  a  man  who  was  there,— one  of  the  voters, — where  are  you  from? 
He  said  from  Albany.  You  replied  :  damn  it,  you  must  not  say  io — you  must  not 
answer  so."  In  about  ten  minutes  after  this  conversation,  I  left  the  room,  leaving 
Doctor  Bowron  engaged  reading  the  papers.  I  called  Doctor  Peter  S.  Townsend, 
who  was  in  conversation  vfhh  some  gentlemen  at  the  north  window,  in  the  main 
OBtry.  As  we  wera  conversing,  and  just  as  we  reached  the  door  of  the  reading 
room.  Doctor  Bowron  came  out,  and  spoke  to  Doctor  Townsend.  He  asked  him 
"what  kind  of  a  man  Reuben  Bromley  was.  Doctor  Townsend  made  a  reply  unfa- 
vorable to  his  character,  and  went  on  to  show  his  conduct  in  reference  to  the  Sea- 
man's Retreat.  A  good  deal  of  conversation  passed  between  them,  immaterial  to 
th«  matter  for  which  this  statement  is  made.  During  one  of  the  pauses  in  the 
■wnversatioD,  I  said :  "  Why,  Doctor  Townsend^  Doctor  Bowronhasjuit  inform' 


td  me  that  Ad  saw  Noah  Cook  change  his  coat  with  a  man,  in  the  private  eofi^ 
mittee  room,  at  Masonic  Hall,  during  one  of  the  days  of  the  election  in  the 
Spring  of  I  detailed  the  remainder  ofthe  remarks  of  Dr.  Bowron,allof  which 

he  admitted,  but  urged  Doctor  Towusend  and  myself  to  consider  it  as  confidential. 
Afler  Doctor  Bowron  left,  I  requested  Doctor  Tovvnsend  to  make  a  memorandum 
ofthe  conversation,  which  he  desired  me  to  do,  and  he  would  sign  it.  I  immedi- 
ately reduced  to  writing  the  facts  as  they  occurred,  which  were  read  to  Doctor 
Townsend,  and  approved  of  by  him. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  month  of  January,  1841,  I  had  several  interviews  with 
Messrs.  Bowen  and  Draper.  The  ffjrmer  had  recently  returned  from  a  visit  to 
Albany.  About  this  time,  there  were  rumors  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Egborl 
Benson  as  Tobacco  Inspector,  published  in  the  papers.  On  reading  the  article,  I, 
went  immediately  to  Mr.  Bowen  and  informed  him  of  it.  He  did  not  appear  sur- 
prised, but  advised  ray  seeing  Mr.  Benson  at  once.  I  went  around  and  met  Mr. 
B«nson  on  his  steps,  and  asked  him  if  he  had  been  appointed,  He  thought  not, 
and  that  the  announcement  was  premature.  He  said  that  his  name  would  go,  or 
had  gone,  in  to  the  Senate  for  confirmation  the  day  before.  He  informed  me  that 
he  was  just  coming  to  see  me,  and  that  he  would  be  with  ine  soon.  In  about  ten 
minutes  he  called  ;  we  had  considerable  conversation  in  my  room.  He  wanted 
to  know  my  views.  I  told  him  that  Mr.  Charles  A.  Stetson,  some  short  time  pre>» 
Vious,  had  said  that  I  ought  to  make  them  give  me  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars, to  commence  business  again.  Mr.  Benson  appeared  perfectly  astounded 
when  I  mentioned  so  large  an  amount ;  but  regained  his  Composure,  when  I  in- 
formed him  that  I  would  be  content  to  receive  the  receipts  for  either  the  storage, 
or  refuse  tobacco.  I  told  him  that  I  had  first  named  him  to  Messrs.  Bowen  and 
Draper,  with  a  view  of  securing  to  myself  something  from  the  office.  He  said, 
that  it  would  not  do  for  me  to  have  any  interest  then,  but  that  he  would  sef  in  tho 
course  of  a  few  days  what  arrangements  could  be  made.  He  informed  me  that 
his  affairs  were  embarrassed.  I  said  to  him  distinctly,  that  I  did  not  wish  this 
matter  to  be  considered  a  gratuity.  That  it  was  nothing  more  than  what  I  wai* 
equitably  entitled  to.  He  said,  "  whatever  is  done,  must  be  considered  for  your 
xinescpired  term,  or  for  the  information  you  may  furnish  me  with  inreference  to 
ihe  management  of  the  inspeclio.i.''^  I  assented  to  this  proposition,  regarding  it 
as  a  mere  subterfuge  to  shield  others,  and  to  be  used  in  case  any  allusion  was 
subsequently  made  of  the  connection  between  Mr.  Benson  and  myself.  Ho  was 
very  facetiaus,  and  laughed  at  the  idea  of  my  being  indicted.  The  cloven  foot 
Boon  shewed  itself.  He  wanted  to  have  a  look  at  my  papers.  A  previous  at- 
tempt, after  it  was  known  that  the  Recorder  had  not  obtained  all  the  papers,  had 
been  made  te  ascertain  the  character  of  those  remaining  in  my  possession,  or  un- 
der my  control.  I  showed  Mr.  Benson  some  of  the  papers  which  had  but  just 
then  been  returned  into  my  possession.  He  made  a  good  many  grimaces,  and 
appeared  astoundexi  at  their  contents.  He  was  very  eager  to  get  them  into  his 
keeping,  and  said,  "  you  ought  to  seal  them  up,  and  give  them  into  the  possession 
of  some  one.  Will  you  have  any  objection  to  let  me  have  Iheml"  I  said,  why 
certainly  I  have  ;  they  cannot  go  out  of  my  possession.  He  then  wanted  to  know 
if  I  would  consent  to  destroy  or  burn  Ihcm,  after  the  arrangement  was  consummated. 
I  said  that  I  would.  It  was  at  this  interview,  I  think,  that  I  showed  him  a  note 
thai  I  had  received  from  a  member  of  tho  grand  jury.    He  said,  "  why  don'l  yo« 


35 

destroy  k  7  You  do  not  want  to  injure,  or  impKcate  hitn ;  let  me  burn  k."— 
I  told  him  to  do  so,  and  he  threw  it  into  the  fire.  He  urged  me  repeatedly  to  seal 
my  papers,  and  not  to  suffer  them  to  be  seen.  He  left,  promising  to  call  and  see 
me  again,  very  differently  impressed  as  to  my  power  prove  the  participation 
'of  those  whose  agent  I  considered  him.  He  called  the  next  morning,  and  appeared 
to  be  willing  to  do  all  that  he  could ;  but  said  that  he  was  embarrassed,  and  had 
but  very  little  funds.  He  expressed  anxiety  about  the  papers  ;  urged  me  to  be 
careful,  and  not  to  suffer  any  one  to  see  them :  to  seal  them  up.  That  they  had 
better  be  destroyed;  and  again  made  an  offer  to  take  care  of  them  for  me,  sub- 
ject, I  think  he  said,  to  my  control,  which  I  declined.  He  thought  that  I  had 
better  go  away  for  some  time.  That  the  charter  election  was  approaching,  and 
the  whole  matter  would  be  enacted  over  again  in  the  papers.  New  Orleans  and 
other  places  were  mentioned.  He  also  stated  that  he  might  raise  two  thousand 
dollars,  which  he  would  furnish  me  with,  and  arrangements  might  be  made  for  mo 
to  draw  one  thousand  dollars  more,  if  I  required  it.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind, 
that  there  were  no  indictments  against  me  at  this  time.  Two  grand  juries  had 
thrown  out  the  charge.  Another  grand  jury,  the  foreman  of  which  was  a  leading 
\vhig,  was  then  occupied  with  this  investigation,  and  a  similar  issue  was  confident- 
ly looked  for.  At  this  interview  I  told  Mr.  Benson  that  I  required  a  few  hundred 
dollars  for  my  immediate  expenses.  He  said  that  he  would  hand  it  to  me.  He 
brought  me  a  part  of  the  money  that  evening,  and  tiie  residue  in  a  few  days  after- 
wards. 

On  the  12th  of  January,  1341,  a  supersedeas  was  served  upon  me,  by  Nathaniel 
Jarvis,  Clerk  of  the  city  and  county  of  New  York.  On  the  26  th  of  January,  the 
grand  inquest  found  seven  bills  of  indictment  against  me.  I  saw  Mr.  Benson  that 
morning;  he  informed  me  that  he  was  apprehensive  thatthegrand  jury  would  indicS 
toe.  He  assured  me,  however;  that  the  engagements  he  had  made  with  me  would 
not  be  effected  by  this  result,  and  that  the  amount  he  had  named,  should  be  secur- 
ed. He  subsequently  repeatedly  gave  me  the  same  assurances.  He  urged  upon  me 
the  necessity  to  keep  perfecly  quiet ;  to  converse  with  no  one  on  the  subject — 
and  that  I  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  indictments,  as  they  could  not  be  sustain- 
ed. By  the  mail  of  this  day  I  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Edward  Curtis,  then  a 
member  of  Congress  from  the  city  of  New  York,  and  now  the  Collector  of  the  Port, 
x)f  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 

New  York,  January  26,  1841. 
Sir — t  have  this  moment  learned  from  Alderman  Benson,  that  the  Grand  Jury, 
iiow  in  session,  will  probably  find  a  bill  of  indictment  against  me  to-day.  He  has 
ihis  information  from  a  source  that  may  be  relied  upon.  This  result  is  most  unex- 
pected, and  I  hasten  to  inform  you  of  it,  from  the  fact  of  the  interest  you  have  al- 
ready manifested,  and  for  the  additional  reason  that,  being  conversant  with  my  po- 
sition, I  may  have  the  advantage  of  your  judgment,  and  such  suggestions  as  yo« 
may  feel  disposed  to  make. 

In  great  haste,  your  obd't  servant, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Hon.  Edward  Cortis,  Washington  City. 

This  letter  was  shown  to  a  friend,  and  mailed.  I  received  no  reply  to  it<  In 
the  evening  of  this  day,  I  learned  from  several  sources  that  the  Grand  Jury  had  im 
nlicted  me. 


Aboilt  the  middle  of  February  I  was  much  embarrassed  for  funds.  Mr.  "Aentot 
bad  promised,  from  time  to  time,  to  furnish  me  with  what  I  required.  Day  afteV 
3ay,  and  week  after  week,  were  these  promises  renewed  and  disregarded.  Mj 
patience  became  exhausted. 

Immediately  after  I  was  indicted  I  had  an  interview  with  Messrs.  Blatch' 
Tord,  Bowen  and  Benson.     They  were  desirous  that  1  should  employ  Mt. 
tharles  O'  Connor  as  my  counsel.    I  had  been  approached  several  times,  withiri 
the  last  few  days,  on  this  subject.     It  was  neCfessary  that  some  immediate 
action,  on  my  part,  should  be  made  to  secure  his  services,  as  I  was  required,  by  A 
notifieation  from  the  District  Attorney,  to  plead  to  the  indictments  the  following 
morning.    They  felt,  and  could  not  well  conceal,  their  anxiety.    1  appeared  indif- 
ferent about  it.    Mr.  Benson  urged  me  to  go  down  and  employ  Mr.  O'Connor, 
and  the  rhatterof  his  compensation  would  all  be  attended  to.    I  was  unwilling  ta 
ttioVe,  Unless  the  money  was  furnished  beforehand,  for  I  had  already  felt  the  r«li-* 
lince  to  be  placed  on  his  promises.    I  had  another  object  in  not  moving  in  the 
blatter:  I  was  determined  that  Mr.  O'Connor  should  be  seen  by  some  of  these  par- 
ties first,  so  as  to  afford  me  additional  evidence  of  their  participation  in  thes^ 
frauds.    At  about  four  o'clock  of  this  afternoon,  Mr.  Charles  A.  Stetson  met  me 
in  the  rotunda  of  the  Astor  House,  and  asked  me  if  I  had  employed  counsel,  t 
said  that  I  had  not.    He  remarked  that  he  considered  that  he  had  a  right  to  see 
that  I  was  provided  with  good  counsel,  as  he  was  my  bail.    He  asked  me  to  go 
down  and  see  Mr.  O'Connor.    I  appeared  indifferent,  and  evaded  expressing  any 
determination  on  the  subject.    A*  last — for  he  could  not  contain  himself  longer— * 
he  told  me  that  Mr.  O'Connor  had  been  waiting  in  his  office  io  see  me  for  the 
last  two  hours.    I  asked  him  how  he  knew  that ;  and,  after  a  good  deal  of  pre^ 
varication,  and  not  till  I  had  peremptorily  refused  to  go,  or  move  in  the  matUr,  un* 
less  Mr.  O'Connor  had  been  previously  seen  and  his  fee  paid,  he  said  thai 
Blatchford  and  Bowen  had  informed  him  of  it,  and  that  everything  would  be  ar« 
ranged  to  my  satisfaction.    A  short  time  after  this,  I  saw  Mr.  Benson ;  he  ap- 
peared very  anxious  that  t  should  see  Mr.  O'Connor  that  afternoon  or  evening,  and 
gave  me  every  assurance  that  Mr.  O'Connor  should  be  paid,  and  that  he  would  ata 
tend  to  it.    But  I  had  made  up  my  mind,  and  their  anxiety  confirmed  my  resolve 
not  to  move  unle-s  they  furnished  the  money.    I  was  not  satisfied  with  promises. 
Mr.  Benson  left  me  for  a  few  minutes,  (we  stood  near  the  ladies'  drawing-room  ot 
the  Astor  House,)  and  went  into  Mr.  Bowen's  parlor.    In  a  few  minutes,  they 
came  out,  and  conversed  together.    I  had  on  that  day,  informed  Mr.  Bowen  that 
I  would  not  move  one  step,  unless  Mr.  O'Connor  was  seen  before,  or  the  monej' 
furnished  to  pay  him.    Mr.  Benson  came  towards  me,  and  said  that  he  would  see 
Mr.  Stetson,  and  borrow  it  of  him.    I  said  no,  that  I  could  borrow  it  myself;  and 
that  I  would  do  so,  nrovlded  he  would  hand  it,  with  some  other  funds  I  required,' 
to  me,  on  Monday.    This  he  said  he  would  do;  and  1  borrowed  one  hundred  dol- 
lars of  Messrs.  Coleman  and  Stetson.    It  was  handed  to  me  by  Mr.  Coleman.  t 
went  down  to  Mr.  O'Connor's  office,  in  Wall  street,  and  inquired  of  a  gentleman, 
(whom  I  have  since  ascertained  was  his  partner,  Mr.  E.  Derry,)  if  Mr.  O'Connor  was 
in.    He  informed  me  that  he  had  been  waiting  some  length  of  time,  but  had  left 
shortly  before.    I  told  him  who  1  was,  and  inquired  if  he  knew  whether  Mr.  O'- 
Connor had  been  seen  on  my  business.    He  said:  "  0/t  ycj;"  that  Mr.  Blatch' 


41 


Jvrd  had  been  with  Mr.  Cf  Connor  on  that,  or  the  day  previous.  I  returned 
home.  In  the  evening,  I  again  saw  Mr.  Benson,  and,  I  think,  Messrs.  Blatchford 
and  Bowen.  Mr.  O'Connor  had  left  word  with  Mr.  Derry,  that  he  would  see  me 
at  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning.  At  the  appointed  hour  I  called,  and,  introdus 
cing  myself,  said  :  "  I  presume  Mr.  Blatchford  has  seen  you  on  my  business."  He 
replied,  that  he  could  not  answer  that  question;  or,  that  it  was  not  necessary 
forme  to  know  that ;  or  to  this  effect;  that  he  did  not  desire  me  to  say  anything 
in  reference  to  my  participation  in  these  frauds  ;  that  when  he  required  any  infor- 
mation on  any  point,  he  would  ask  it ;  that  he  did  not  require  to  be  informed  of 
the  facts;  that  the  object  now  was  to  get  rid  of  the  indictments.  I  left  Mr.  O'- 
Connor with  the  understanding  that  I  would  meet  him  at  eleven  o'clock,  at  the 
Court  of  Sessions.  Mr.  O'Connor  appeared  at  that  hour,  and  asked  to  be  furnish* 
ed  with  copies  of  the  indictments.  He  expressed  his  intention,  instead  of  moving 
to  quash,  to  demur  to  the  indictments,  and  went  into  an  argument  and  explanation 
of  the  distinction.  It  was  postponed,  with  a  view  to  enable  Mr.  O'Connor  to  pres 
pare  the  necessary  papers,  &c.  &c. 

I  saw  Mr.  Benson  the  evening  of  this  day,  at  the  Astor  House ;  he  had  promis- 
ed to  leave  me  some  money,  but  did  not  do  it.  I  told  him  that  I  had  still  the  $100 
for  Mr.  O'Connor;  that  I  had  not  handed  it  to  him.  Mr.  Benson  told  me  I  could 
use  a  part  of  this,  which  I  could  make  up  from  the  monies  he  would  hand  me  on 
Monday.  On  Monday  I  obtained  copies  of  the  indictments,  and  handed  them  to 
Mr.  O'Connor,  and  paid  him  fifty  dollars.  He  informed  me  that  he  would  expect 
to  receive  two  hundred  dollars  more,  and  that  the  subsequent  charges  would  de- 
pend upon  the  trouble  he  had  ;  that  he  did  not  wish  to  practice  in  the  sessions  ;  and 
that  he  had  made  it  a  rule  never  to  attend  to  business  in  that  Ceurt  for  less  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  I  informed  Messrs.  Blatchford,  Bowen  and  Benson, 
of  the  fee  Mr.  O'Connor  required ;  and  the  latter,  who  was  the  manager  on  these 
occasions,  promised  to  give  me  the  money  to  pay  him. 

I  was  still  without  the  means  to  pay  Mr.  O'Connor  the  balance  of  his  fee  and  to 
defray  some  indebtedness  of  my  own,  that  I  had  promised,  on  the  assurance  of  res 
ceiving  monies  from  Mr.  Benson.  In  this  situation  I  determined  to  ask  the  tavor 
of  a  loan  from  Mr.  Bowen.  And  I  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  this 
was  the  first  and  only  favor  that  I  ever  solicited  at  his  or  at  the  hands  of  either  of 
the  parties  implicated  in  these  frauds.  Independent  of  Mr.  Bowen's  declarations, 
I  had  repeatedly  been  informed  of  his  friendly  disposition  towards  me.  Among 
others,  Dr.  Samuel  R.  Child s  had  told  me  so.  I  had  made  erery  effort  to  screen 
him,  and  to  prevent  his  name  appearing  as  a  participator  in  these  frauds.  I  cons 
sidered  him  a  man  of  honor.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  ihe  note  which  I  address- 
ed to  him : 

Tuesday  Morning,  February  16,  1841. 
My  Dear  Sir — You  will  greatly  oblige  me  with  the  loan  of  $350,  for  a  few  days 
I  would  not  ask  this  favor  at  your  hands,  but  for  the  neglect  of  Mr.  Benson  in  meet* 
ing  his  engagement*.    Predicated  upon  assurances  from  him,  I  assumed,  some  few 
weeks  since,  a  responsibility  which  I  am  compelled  to  meet  to-day. 

Yours,  very  truly,  &c., 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Jam£s  Bovv£k,  Esq. 


42 


In  about  an  hour  after  this  note  was  dispatched,  Mr.  Bei^on  came  up  to  see  me 
He  was  in  a  perfect  fume.  He  said  that  Mr.  Bowen  was  quite  angry  that  I  had 
mad©  such  a  request  othim.  I  told  him  that  the  necessity  on  my  part,  in  making, 
this  request,  was  attributable  to  the  non-performance  of  his  engagements  with 
me.  That  I  could  not  understand  why  Mr.  Bowen  should  be  angry.  I  felt  indig- 
nant at  the  treatment  I  received,  and  so  expressed  myself.  Mr.  Benson  cooled 
down,  and  said  that  it  would  not  do  for  Mr.  Bowen,  as  he  was  situated,  to  com'* 
ply  tvith  my  request ;  but  that  he  would  give  me  what  I  required,  and  named, 
I  think,  the  next  day.  Mr.  Benson's  "  promises  were  as  thick  as  blackberyies." 
I  saw  Mr.  Benson  once  or  twice  after  this,  and  it  was  at  each  time,  a  promise,  and 
on  the  23rd  of  February,  I  addressed  a  letter  to  him,  of  which  the  following  is 
a  copy : 

AsTOR  House,  February  23d,  1841. 

Dear  Sir — I  regret  to  address  you  upon  other  than  an  agreeable  subject,  but 
there  is  a  "  point  beyond  which  forbearance  ceases  to  be  a  virtue  "  The  repeated 
violations  of  your  engagem.ents  with  me,  and  }  our  perfect  indifference  last  evening, 
when  informed  of  the  pressing  necessity  which  urged  me  to  importune  you,  leave 
me  but  little  to  expect  in  reference  to  the  fulfilment  of  ulterior  assui-ances. 

You  are  aware  that  a  part  of  the  funds  which  I  now  require,  and  which  you  have 
promised  me  for  the  last  three  weeks,  from  time  to  time,  to  farnish  me  with,  are 
to  liquidate  a  responsibility  incurred  at  your  instance,  and  that  of  Mr.  Eowen,  to 
employ  Mr.  O'Connor  as  ray  counsel.  On  Friday  morning  last,  at  your  house, 
you  promised  to  hand  me  the  amount  on  the  following  day  before  three  o'clock^ 
and  you  called  at  seven  in  the  morniag  to  say,  (as  you  inlormed  me  last  evening,) 
that  you  could  not  give  it,  because  Mr.  Bowen,  who  had  promised  to  let  you  have 
it,  was  out  of  town.  In  my  intercourse  with  you,  I  have  acted  wiih  the  utmost 
confidence  and  candor.  I  have  submitted  most  of  my  papers  to  your  inspecvion, 
and  been  influenced  to  a  certain  extent  by  your  advise;  if  you  desire  it,  I  am  now- 
content  that  your  participation  in  the  premises  should  cease.  Your  name,  for 
the  appointment  you  now  fill,  was  first  suggested  by  me  to  Mr.  Bowen,  with  an 
understanding  that  some  thing  siiould  be  done  to  compensate  me  for  my  unexpir- 
ed term,  if  you  please,  or  for  any  information  or  suggestions  I  might  furnish  you 
m  relation  to  the  management  ol  the  inspection. 

There  has  been  but  one  feeling  which  has  actuated  my  conduct  since  the  agita- 
tion of  the  election  frauds  of  1833,  '39.  Although  my  name  has  been  branded 
from  one  extent  of  the  country  to  the  other ;  although  I  have  been  assailed  with 
a  vindictiveness,  as  unjust  as  it  was  uncalled  for;  although  removed  from  ofl&ce, 
ruined  in  a  pecuniary  point  of  view,  still  have  I  have  kept  my  honor  unsullied.  I 
have  had  the  moral  courage,  under  all  these  circumstances,  and  when  I  have  seen 
friend  after  Iriend  desert  me,  to  stand  the  firmer,  to  act  with  honor  towards  those 
who  had  confided  in  mo ;  to  remain  true  to  ray  party  and  its  interests-  1  will 
adrait  that  I  may  have  acted  indiscreetly,  and  that  my  confidence  was  abused. — 
But  have  I  not  suHere'd  enough  already,  or  are  these  considerations  why  one, 
whom  it  is  conceded,  has  rendered  £l6  much  good  service  as  any  other  in  the  stale, 
towards  a  perfect  organization  of  the  whig  party,  should  be  hunted  down  and 
trodden  under  fool  7  I  am  disposed  lo  let  the  matter  rest,  and  bear  the  odium  of 
having,  in  my  zeal  for  my  party,  for  my  country  and  its  best  interests,  committed  a 
great  moral  wrong;  namely,  secured  to  that  party,  by  my  individual  exertion 
nearly,  if  not  quite  eighteen  hundred  voles;  returning  four  members  of  Congress, 


43 


the  city  and  county  appointments.  It  is  bad  policy  to  agitate  the  public  mind 
further  on  this  subject.  Do  not.  force  me  to  leave  my  position.  Do  not  drive  me 
by  violation  of  your  pledges  to  me,  to  become  tiie  assailant.  I  pray  you  to 
solve  me  the  inconsistency  cf  the  anxiety  manifested  to  obtain  the  papers  in 
my  possession,  if  those  papers  contain  nothing  in  themselves  tending  to  implicate 
others,  or  thorvir  light  on  the  subject  referred  to  1  Why  did  Mr.  Curtis  offer  me 
a  specific  sum  to  destroy  them?  Why  your  anxiety  to  get  them  out  of  Colonel 
Hamilton's  possession,  and  then  destroy  them  1 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Egbert  Benson,  Esq. 

Receiving  no  answer  to  this  contvnunication,  I  addressed  a  second  letter  to  Mr. 
Benson,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

AsTOR  House,  February  25th,  1841. 
Sir — I  addressed  a  letter  to  you,  on  the  23d  mstant,  which  remains  unanswered. 
Lest  there  should  be  any  misconception  on  your  part,  or  supposed  neglect  on 
mine,  to  apprise  you  of  my  determination,  I  now  address  you  again,  to  say  that 
it  becomes  necessary  for  me  to  take  some  decisive  measures  to  bring  this  subject 
to  an  issue.  Although  I  do  not  think  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  inform  you  what 
measures  I  may  resort  to,  in  defence  of  niy  rights  and  reputation,  still,  from  the 
friendly  relations  that  have  existed  between  us,  I  consider  it  due  you  to  say,  that 
if,  in  adverting  to  any  participation  or  agency  of  others,  I  am  obliged  to  use  your 
name,  it  will  not  be  caused  by  any  unfriendly  motive,  but  merely  as  a  connecting 
link  in  the  chain  of  unquestionable  evidences,  both  documentary  and  otherwise,  I 
may  be  called  upon  to  employ.  For  the  issue  of  this  controversy  will  not  alone 
depend  upon  my  declarations;  for  I  have  sustained  myself  at  every  point,  with 
proofs  as  irresistible  as  they  are  conclusive.  The  mere  publication  of  two  of  the 
several  affidavits  in  my  possession,  will  enlighten  the  public  mind  here,  and  at 
Washington,  and  materially  aflect  the  interests  of  some  of  the  prominent  applis 
cants  for  responsible  trusts  in  this  city,  under  the  General  Government.  You  will 
Tecollect  that  I  am  goaded  on  to  this  course  by  the  repeated  violations  of  your  ens 
^agements  wfih  me,  and  that  you  have  been  aflorded  timely  advisement. 

Your  most  ob't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

?!eBERT  Bensox,  Esq. 

I  received  no  answer  to  this  letter.  A  few  days  afterwards  I  addressed  a  note 
to  Mr.  Bo  wen,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 

AsTOB  Hous  ,  March  4ih,  1841. 
Sir— Under  much  excitement  of  feeling,  I  addressed  two  letters  to  Mr.  Bp/ison 
on  the  23d  and  25th  ultimo,  to  which,  I  presume,  he  has  taken  exceptio.«.  My 
situation  here  is  most  unpleasant,  and  he  has  been  aware  of  it.  Founded  on  his 
assurances,  I  am  disposed,  for  the  sake  of  ray  own  feelings,  and  of  my  family,  to 
yield  to  his  suggestions.  I  am  apprehensive  of  rnuch  annoyance,  previous  to  the 
coming  election,  and  I  wish  to  avoid  it  by  leaving  the  city.  I  appeal  to  your  sense 
cf  honor  and  justice,  to  urge  upon  Mr.  Benson  the  fulfilment  of  hw  engagements. 
Your  most  ob't  serv't 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Jaomes  Bowen,  Esq.- 
A  few  days  after  this  letter  was  written,  I  met  Mr.  Benson  coming  from  behind 
the  green  curtain  of  the  private  ofnce  of  the  Astor  House.   He  passed,  scarcely 


44 


speaking  to  me,  and  then  snly  to  complain  of  tho  letters  I  had  written  to  hlra.  A 
few  minutes  afterwards,  I  asked  Mr.  Charles  Stetson  if  Mr.  Benson  had  left  any 
funds  for  me.  He  said  "  no  ;  but  that  a  little  boy  had  brought  a  package."  I 
then  inquired  if  he  would  receipt  my  bill.  He  said  yes ;  and  he  receipted  the  same 
for  four  hundred  and  forty-four  dollars  and  fifty-four  cents— being  the  amount  due 
to  the  1st  of  March.  After  he  had  receipted  the  bill,  I  toid  him  that  Mr.  Benson 
handed  him  the  money.  He  appeared  confused  ;  and,  after  a  few  moments,  havs 
ing  regained  his  composure,  he  laughed,  and  walked  away,  without  makmg  any 
reply. 

The  hearing  of  the  argument  on  the  demurrer,  was  postponed  from  time  to 
time  until  the  12ih  April,  1841.  In  the  interim,  I  had  received  several  notes  from 
Mr.  O'Connor,  informing  me  of  these  postponements.  The  balance  of  Mr.  O'Con- 
nor's fee  remained  unpaid,  although  I  had  promise  after  promise  jhat  it  should  be 
attended  to. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  note  sent  this  day  to  Mr.  Benson : 

New  York,  April?,  1841. 
Sir— Mr.  Stetson  has  just  infor.mcd  me  that  he  has  a  very  large  payment  to  make 
to-ii  orrow.  You  will  oblige  me  by  handing  him  the  amount  of  my  bill  at  as  early 
an  hour  as  you  can  conveniently.  I  received,  yesterday,  a  note  from  Mr.  O'Cons 
ner,  informing  me  that  my  ca&e  is  set  down  for  argument  on  Saturday  next.  I 
have  assurances  from  the  Recorder  that  there  will  be  no  delay  in  this  matter — 
that  it  will  be  disposed  of  at  once.  I  trust  that  you  will  De  prepared,  so  soon  as  I 
am  relieved  from  this  most  unpleasant  business,  to  carry  out  your  engagements 
with  as  httle  delay  as  possible. 

In  has  to,  your  ob't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,  56  Warren  street. 

I  received  no  reply  to  this  note.  On  the  12th  instant  I  wrote  him  agaia,  as 
follows : 

New  York,  April  12,  1841. 
Sir— It  is  with  extreme  regret  that  I  am  compelled  to  address  you  again  on  the 
subject  of  my  communication  to  you  a  few  days  since.  My  case  was  argued  this 
morning  before  the  Recorder,  and  I  have  no  doubt,  from  the  confidence  Mr.  O'- 
Connor evinced,  that  the  whole  matter  will  be  disposed  of  to  my  satisfaction.  I 
have  now  nothing  to  desire  but  the  fulfilment  of  your  engagements  with  me,  pred- 
icated on  the  resuli  of  this  most  distressing  ordeal,  and  I  trust  that  your  arrange- 
ments to  this  end  will  be  made  with  as  little  delay  as  possible. 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

E  Bbnbon,  Esq.,  Warren  street. 

On  Tuesday,  the  13th  of  April,  1341,  I  received  a  note  from  Mr.  O'Connor,  as 
follows : 

Monday. 

Pear  Sir— 1  expect-  i  to  have  seen  you  awaiu  before  the  argument  of  your  case, 
and  was  mtich  surprised  that  you  did  not  attend.  Tlie  argument  has  been  partly 
heard,  and  no  v  stands  adjourned  until  Saturday  next,  at  twelve  o'clock.  Unless 
I  see  you  before  that  time,  you  must  not  expect  me  to  attend  any  further  to  the 
case. 

My  partner,  Mr.  Derry,  can  receive  your  commands,  as  well  as  myself,  should 
you  call  in  my  ab-iencc. 

Your8,&c.,  CHAS.  O'CONNOR. 

J.  B.  GutwrwOBTH,  Esq.,  Astor  House. 


45 


On  the  receipt  of  this  note  from  Mr.  O'Connor,  I  enclosed  it  to  Mr.  Benson,  and 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  him  : 

New  YoHK,  April  14,  1841. 

Sir— I  received  the  enclosed  yesterday  from  Mr.  O'Connor.  In  my  interview 
with  him  on  Monday,  he  informed  me  that  he  had  no  apprehension  v/hatever  as 
to  the  result ;  that  the  wtiole  matter  would  be  disposed  of  at  once,  and  to  my  aat-« 
isfaction  :  that  the  "District  Attorney  had  conceded  that  the  indictments  could  not 
be  sustained.  I  trust  that  you  will  not  consider  me  importunate.  I  have  written 
to  you  twice,  and  am  without  a  reply  to  either  communication.  I  desire  nothing 
more  nor  less  than  an  adherence  to  your  engagements  with  me. 

If  this  matter,  now  so  happily  in  a  train  of  adjustment,  is  to  fail,  or  at  least  be 
retarded,  by  your  non-compliance  or  delay,  the  fault  is  not  with  me.  You  couns 
selled  me  to  employ  Mr.  O'Connor,  and  assnred  me  that  he  siiouM  be  paid  If, 
in  either  of  my  letters  to  you,  1  have  wounded  your  feelings,  or  at  any  time  in- 
dulged in  intemperate  language,  I  beg  to  recall  the  same,  and  to  assure  you  that 
it  has  not  been  occasionsd  by  any  disrespect.  And  my  apoloify  is  in  the  fact  that, 
since  the  15ih  day  of  last  October,  I  have  acted  under  strong  excitement,  and  too 
often,  perhaps,  under  wrong  impulses,  for  1  have  been  goaded  almost  to  madness 
.by  the  position  I  am  compelled  to  susJ;aiu. 

your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

E.  Benson,  Esq. 

The  further  argument  on  the  demurrer  was  set  down  for  hearing  on  the  17th  of 
April,  but  was  postponed.  On  this  day  I  sent  a  note  to  Mr.  Richard  M.  Blatchi 
ford,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

New  YoaK,  April  17th,  1841. 
Sir— I  received  a  note  from  Mr.  O'Connor,  a  few  days  since,  informing  me  that 
the  further  argument  of  my  case  was  adjourned  to  this  day,  at  twelve  o'clock,  and 
that  unless  he  heard  from  me  previously,  (that  is,  unless  he  received  the  balance 
of  his  fee,)  he  would  not  further  attend  to  the  same.  I  sent  thia  note  to  Mr.  Bens 
son,  on  its  receint,  as  it  was  at  his  instance,  and  under  certain  assurances,  that  I 
employed  Mr.  O'Connor.  I  am  as  yet  unadvised  whether  he  has  attended  to  the 
same,  and  as  it  is  certainly  desirable  that  this  most  unpleasant  business  should 
be  disposed  of,  I  have  thought  it  best  to  write  you,  that  Mr.  O'Connor  may  be 
seen  on  the  subject. 

In  great  haste,  your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B. -GLENTWORTH. 

R.  M.  Blatchford,  Esq. 

I  called  upon  Mr.  O'Connor,  on  the  morning  of  this  day,  and  informed  him  why 
I  hadnot  paid  him  the  balance  of  his  fee.  The  further  hearing  of  the  argument 
was  deferred  to  the  20th  instant.  On  the  morning  of  that  day  I  received  another, 
and  the  last  note  from  Mr.  O'Connor,  which  was  as  follows : 

New  York,  April  20th,  1841. 

Dear  Sir— Although  I  do  not  consider  it  necessary  to  superadd  notices  to  those 
previously  given,  I  now  inform  you  that  your  case  will  come  on  for  further  argaa 
ment  this  atternoon,at  four  o'clock,  and  that  1  shall  not  appear. 

Yours,  CHAS.  O'CONNOR. 

James  B.  Glestworth,  Esq.,  Astor  House. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  note,  I  determined  to  let  matters  take  their  course ;  and  if 
the  parties  who  were  as  much  interested  as  myself,  to  dispose  of  it,  shewed  no 


4i6 

Riore  conceTn  than  was  evinced,  to  give  myself  no  further  uneasiness.  When  I 
saw  Messrs.  Blatchford,  Bowen  and  Benson,  they  appeared  to  think  that  the  inn 
dictnients  would  be  quashed.  I  showed  the  note  from  Mr.  O'Connor  to  Col.  Hams 
ilton,  and  addressed  a  note  to  him,  asking  him  to  ascertain  the  precise  situation  of 
matters,  and  how  far  the  argnment  had  progressed.  I  had  previously  informed  him 
■of  all  the  circumstances  attending  Mr.  O'Conner's  being  emp'oyedas  counsel. — 
Colonel  Hamilton's  reply  to  my  letter,  is  as  follows : 

New  Yokk,  April  21st,  1841. 
Dear  Sir — On  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  with  the  contsntsof  which  I  am  much 
surprised,  I  called  at  the  office  of  the  District  Attorney,  and  found  that  he  waB 
engaged  at  the  Court  of  Sessions.  I  shall,  therefore,  not  see  him  before  morning, 
fn  the  meaniime,  I  would  suggest  the  importance  of  employing  other  counsel,  and 
recommend  Cutiing,  Shaler,  or  Morrill,  with  instructions  either  to  continue  thears 
gument  on  the  demurrer,  or  to  effect  soma  arrangement  to  discontinue  the  present 
proceedings,  and  proceed  to  trial.  Let  me  hear  from  you  immediately,  that  the 
proper  steps  may  be  taken. 

Your  obd't  serv't, 

A.  HA  MILTON. 

J.  B.  Glent WORTH,  Esq.,  Astor  House. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26ih  of  April,  1S41,  Colonel  Hamilton  informed  me,  that 
he  had  seen  IVIr.  O'Connor,  and  that  he  expressed  himself  very  much  dissatisfied. 
I  was  unwilling  to  submit  quietlv  to  the  imputation  of  refusing  compensation  to 
him  for  his  services.  I  was  determined  that  he  should  understand  why  the  bal- 
ance of  his  lee  was  withheld;  and  at  the  suggestion  of  Colonel  Hamilton,  ladn 
dressed  a  letter  to  him,  which  he  was  authorized  to  show  Mr.  O'Connor.  Tne 
following  IS  a  copy  of  that  letter  : 

AsTOK  House,  April  25th,  1S41. 
My  Dear  Sir— I  address  you,  to  state  the  circumstances  attending  my  employ- 
ing Mr.  O'Connor  as  my  counsel,  not  only  injustice  to  myself,  but  to  disabuse  hla 
mind,  as  I  am  satisfied,  from  the  conversation  you  had  withhim*this  morning,  and 
which  you  have  detailed  to  me,  that  he  has  not  been  disposed  to  accord  to  me 
that  consideration  which,  as  his  client,  I  had  a  right  to  expect.  On  Friday,  the 
day  previous  to  my  first  interview  with  Mr.  O'Connor,  I  was  importuned  by  Mr. 
Blatchford,  Mr.  Bowen,  Mr.  Benson,  and  Mr.  Charles  A.  Stetson,  to  employ  him 
as  my  counsel.  The  latter  gentleman  insisted  on  his  right  to  see  that  I  was  fur-* 
nished  with  able  counsel,  as  he  was  my  bail,  &c.  He  informed  me  that  Mr. 
O'Connor  had  been  wailing  in  his  office  two  hours  for  me,  and  in  answer  to  my 
question,  "how  do  you  know  that?"  after  a  good  deal  of  prevarication,  and  not 
Bntil  I  assured  him  that  1  would  not  move  one  step  in  the  matter  unless  I  had 
some  assurances  that  he,  Mr.  O'Connor,  had  been  seen,  and  that  his  fee  would  be 
paid,  he  told  me  that  Mr.  Blatchford  and  Bowen  had  said  that  everything  was 
right,  and  that  it  was  now  only  necessary  for  me  to  see  Mr.  O'Connor.  In  the 
course  of  half  an  hour,  or  perhaps)  less,  1  saw  Mr.  Benson.  His  first  inquiry  was, 
*•  Have  you  seen  or  employed  Mr.  O'Connor  yet  ?  '  I  replied  that  I  had  not,  nor 
would  I  do  it,  unless  I  was  furnished  with  money  to  pay  him  his  fee.  He  urged 
me  to  go  down  at  once,  and  see  him  ;  that  he  would  aiiund  to  it,  and  that  it  would 
all'be  right.  I  resisted,  and  he  loft  me  for  a  moment,  and  went  into  Mr.  Bowen's 
parlor;  they  came  out,  conversed  a  few  minutes  together,  and  Mr.  Benson  came 
towards  me,  and  said,  "I'll  borrow  it  from  Mr.  Stetson."  I  said,  I'ilget  it  my- 
self,  provided  you  will  return  it.  To  flus  he  assented,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few 


47 


days,  as  Mr.  Stetson  informed  nie,  he  repaid  the  same.  In  a  conversation  with 
Mr.  Bowen  this  day,  he  said  that  I  was  perfectly  right  in  the  course  I  had  a- 
dopted  ;  namely,  not  to  move  unless  my  counsel  was  paid,  &c.  &c.  (Sec. 

1  have  repeatedly  called  upon  Mr.  Benson  to  make  good  his  engagements  with 
me,  and  as  often  been  assured  that  he  would  do  so.  Onihe  receipt  of  Mr.  O'Con- 
nor's note,  (informing  me  that  he  had  "argued  the  case  in  part,  and  that  it  was 
postponed  until  the  following  Saturday,  and  that  unless  he  saw  me  before  that 
time,  you  must  not  expect  me  to  attend  any  further  to  the  case,")  I  immediately 
enclosed  the  same  to  Mr.  Benson,  asking  his  attention  to  it.  I  received  no  reply, 
although  Mr.  Stetson  informed  me,  that  he  told  him  that  he  would  go  down  and 
get  the  money.  I  waited  in  a  good  deal  of  suspense  until  Saturday  morning,  the 
day  to  which  it  was  postponed,  and  having  no  advise,  I  then  wrote  to  Mr.  Blatchford 
who  had,  with  Mr.  Bowen,  repeatedly  assured  me  that  Mr.  Benson  would  adhere 
to  all  his  engagements.  He  did  not  think  proper  to  reply  to  my  note,  and  on  the 
following  Monday,  (this  day  week,)  I  mentioned  the  circumstances  to  Mr.  Stetson, 
who  is  one  of  the  confidential  friends  and  agent  of  these  parties.  Mr.  Stetson  saia 
that  he  would  see  iMr.  Benson,  and  get  this  S200,  and  the  other  monies  I  required. 
He  went  out  for  that  purpose,  and  subsequently  informed  me  that  all  was  right, 
and  that  Mr.  Benson  would  hand  him  a  check. 

On  Wednesday  last  I  again  inquired  of  Mr.  Stetson  whether  Mr.  Benson  had 
called,  or  if  he  had  seen  him,  and  showed  him  a  note  then  received  from  BIr.  O'w 
Connor.  He  at  once  said  that  Mr.  Benson  was  behaving  very  unhandsomely  to-* 
wards  me  ;  and  that  he  would  go  down  himself  and  see  Mr.  O'Connor,  and  hand 
him  the  ^200.  "  I  suppose,"  said  he,  "  he  will  take  my  check,  for  I  have  no  mo-* 
ney  to-day."  I  replied  that  he  would,  certainly.  He  left  the  house  for  this  purt 
pose,  in  company  with  Mr.  George  Curtis,  the  brother  of  the  present  Collector. — 
Mr.  Stetson  informed  me,  on  his  return,  that  Mr.  O'Connor  would  not  receive  the 
fee  nor  attend  to  the  case;  that  he  had  no  sympathy  for  me  ;  that  it  was  a  matter 
of  pecuniary  consideration  alone,  and  that  I  had  not  met  my  engagements.  In  a 
word,  that  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  further  arguing  of  the  case. — 
This  is  all  that  I  consider  necessary  to  communicate  to  you  at  this  time.  You 
will  observe  th»':  I  have  had  no  volition  about  the  matter,  and  that  Mr.  O'Cons 
nor  has  been  only  nominally  my  counsel. 

In  haste,  your  most  obd't  servt, 

J.  B.  GLENT WORTH. 

Col.  A.  Hamilton. 

It  was  a  part  of  the  arrangement  made  by  Mr.  Benson ,  on  his  own  account,  or 
as  the  go-between  or  agent  of  others,  with  me,  that  counsel  should  be  furnished  to 
dispose  of  the  indictments,  or  in  the  contingency  of  my  being  tried,  of  which  res 
suit  the  most  remote  idea  was  hardly  entertained,  that  I  should  not  be  subjected  to 
any  expense  for  counsel  or  otherwise.  It  will  be  remarked  that  the  argument  on 
the  demurrers  to  <he  indictments  was  only  in  part  heard,  and  that  this  was  occas 
sioned  in  consequence  of  Mr.  O'Connor's  refusing  to  do  so,  unless  he  was  paid  the 
balance  of  his  fee.  This  was  no  fault  of  mine.  I  had  relied  on  the  honor  and 
good  faith  of  Mr.  Benson.  I  had  seen  Mr.  Benson  and  others  on  the  subject,  time 
and  again.  I  had  written  note  after  note,  and  without  any  result.  I  had  repeat- 
edly been  advised  and  importuned  by  Mr.  Benson,  Mr.  Stetson,  and  others,  to 
make  my  arrangements  to  leave  the  city.  The  idea  was  to  have  my  ball  reduced, 
or  if  thatcould  not  be  done,  to  indemnify,  or  to  make  some  arrangement  after  I 
had  left,  that  would  be  satisfactory.   Several  unsuccessful  attempts  were  made  to 


48 


•reduce  the  amount  of  my  bail.  Perhaps  they  imagined  that  their  persecutions 
would  drive  me  to  this  extremity.  And  then,  forsooth,  they  meant  to  raise  "a 
hue  and  cry"  that  I  had  dishonorably  deserted  ray  bail — that  I  had  "  ingloriously 
fled."  1  hey  ought  to  have  known  me  better.  It  is  true  that  I  was  "  perplexed 
in  the  extreme" — that  I  was  driven  almost  to  the  verge  of  madness.  My  motives 
and  actions  were  not  understood  ;  or,  if  so,  they  were  not  appreciated  by  those  for 
whom  I  had  made  these  sacrifices,  I  was  compelled  to  submission  ;  for  any  act 
of  mine,  to  show  their  participation,  would  have  insured  my  conviction,  and 
the  full  penalty  of  the  law.  Can  this  be  questioned  7  Inquire  into  the  organizas 
tion  of  that  court,  and  your  doubts  are  removed.  The  parties  implicated  with  par-* 
ticipationin  these  frauds  imagined,  foolishly  imagined,  that  I  was  powerless,  and 
that  they  had  shifted  the  public  odium  from  themselves  to  me.  They  have  failed 
in  that  profound  diplomatic  penetration  which  they  flatter  themselves  they  po8<4 
Bess.  It  was  an  evil  moment  of  bewildering  security  in  their  own  self-importance 
and  imaginary  power,  when  they  thought  they  could  crush  me  with  impunity,  as 
a  worm  under  their  foot ;  and  even  embolden  their  minions  and  subordinate  agents 
to  offer  me  gross  contumely. 

About  this  time,  all  intercourse  had  ceased  between  Mr.  Benson  and  myself. 

On  the  4th  of  May,  1841,  at  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  a  conver«« 
sation  with  Mr.  Charles  A.  Stetson.  He  informed  me  that  he  had  seen  several.of 
my  friends,  and  that  they  were  desirous  that  I  should  leave  the  city.  Mr.  Stetson 
wasoneof  my  bail.  He  said  that  there  was  no  difficulty  in  my  leaving,  as  the 
indictments  could  be  disposed  of  in  my  absence.  On  the  6th  instant,  I  received  a 
note  from  the  District  Attorney,  informing  me  that  the  court  had  given  judgment 
for  the  defendant  on  the  indictment?  under  the  statute,  and  on  the  indictment  at 
common  law,  they  had  given  judgment  for  the  people.  I  was  required  to  plead  to 
the  indictment  on  the  following  day,  at  eleven  o'clock.  At  that  hour  I  appeared 
with  my  counsel,  Messrs.  Joice  and  Smith.  At  this  time  Mr.  Smith  had  no*  cons 
sented  to  be  my  counsel  in  the  cause ;  he  went  up  with  Mr.  Joice  at  Mr.  J.'a  re»» 
quest  to  plead  to  the  indictment.  After  I  intimated  my  wish  to  retain  Mr.  Smith, 
my  whig  friends  objected  because  he  was  opposed  to  me  in  politics!  I  was  8ur«« 
rendered  by  one  of  my  bail,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Pearce.  Mr.  Joice  went  over  to  the 
Astor  Hou«e;to  see  Mr.  Coleman,  and  to  ask  him  to  become  my  bail.  Mr.  Joice 
returned,  and  said  that  Mr.  Coleman  would  come  over  presently.  I  became  impa- 
tient and  went  over  to  the  Astor  House  in  custody  of  an  officer,  and  with  my 
counsel.  Mr.  Co'.i.man  had  gone  down  town.  I  sent  the  following  note  to  Mr. 
Edward  Curtis : 

New  York,  May  7th,  1841. 
Sir— I  received  a  note  last  evening  from  the  District  Attorney,  informing  me 
that  the  court  gave  judgment  for  the  defendant  under  the  statute,  and  on  the  in" 
dictment  at  common  law  the  court  gave  judgment  for  the  people,"  and  requirmg 
me  to  plead  at  eleven  o'clock  this  morning.  A  few  minutes  previous  to  that  hour 
I  went  into  court,  and  was  surrendered  into  custody  by  Mr.  Pearce,  one  of  my 
bondsmen.  Mr.  Stetson,  the  other  bond«bman,  being  absent  from  the  city,  of 
course  my  recognizance  must  be  renewed  bctore  the  adjournment  of  the  court, 
and  unless  my  frii  nds  come  forward  and  provide  bail,  I  must  be  committed  to  the 
city  prison,  as  1  am  now  in  charge  of  an  officer. 

Your  mostobd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Edwahd  CoaTiB,  Custom  House. 


This  note  was  delivered  by  Mr.  Joico,  Mr.  Curtis  said  that  he  was  very  much 
occupied,  and  could  not  go  out  and  attend  to  it.  As  Mr.  Joice  was  leaving,  Mr. 
Curtis  told  him  that  he  would  attend  to  it  presently,  or  eo  soon  aa  he  could  find 
leisure,  or  to  this  (fleet. 

In  the  course  of  an  hour,  Mr.  Robert  B.  Coleman  became  my  bail,  in  the  sum 
of  five  thousand  dollars,  and  my  individual  recognizance  was  taken  for  a  similar 
amount. 

My  trial  on  the  mdictment  at  common  law,  was  set  down  for  the  19th  mstant. 
On  the  10th  instant,  I  sent  a  note  to  Mr.  Blatchford,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy: 

New  York,  May  10th,  1641. 
Sir — You  are  aware  that  the  indictment  against  me  at  common  lav,  is  set  down 
for  trial  on  Wednesday  of  next  week.  My  ability  to  provide  counsel,  and  to  bring 
here  such  witnesses  as  I  may  require,  depends  entirely  on  the  fulfilment  of  lha 
engagements  made  by  Mr.  Benson.  And  I  now  appeal  to  your  sense  of  honor 
and  justice,  to  urge  upon  him  to  meet  those  engagements.  But  for  Mr.  Benson's 
neglect  in  handing  Mr.  O'Connor  the  balance  of  his  fee,  the  indictment  upon  which 
I  am  to  bo  tried  would  have  been  disposed  of  with  the  others.  This  was 
imperfectly  argued.  Mr.  O'Connor  was  employed  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Benson, 
with  assurances  ihat  he  should  be  paid.  May  I  ask  the  favor  of  your  early  at* 
teniioQ  to  this  matter,  and  oblige, 

Your  most  obd't  eerv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTVVORTH. 

R.  M.^BlaTchfohd,  Esq. 

On  Saturday,  the  15th  instant,  I  was  informed  by  Mr.  Coleman,  or  Mr.  Stetson, 
I  think  the  latter,  that  Mr.  Benson  had  left  two  hundred  dollars;  and  as  I  under- 
stood it,  to  pay  Mr.  O'Connor  the  balance  of  his  fee,  to  induce  him  to  embark  a- 
gain,  and  manage  the  case  for  me. 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Bowen,  and  handed  to  him.  It  en- 
closed one,  dated  the  1st  instant,  addressed  to  the  same  parties,  and  was  withheld 
for  thereaaons  assigned  in  this  omniunication  : 

New  Yobk,  May  17th,  1841. 

Gentlemen— The  accompanying  letter,  dated  on  the  1st  instant,  was  withheld 
from  the  consideration  that  Mr.  Benson  not  only  gave  assurances  to  Mr.  Stetson, 
but  to  Mr.  Coleman,  that  he  would  meet  the  engagements  referred  to.  On  Satur- 
day last,  after  repeated  promises  from  day  to  day,  during  the  week,  he  left,  as  I 
understood,  two  hundred  dollars  to  pay  Mr.  O'Connor  the  balance  of  his  fee,  and 
remarked  to  Mr.  Stetson,  that  he  had  ko  more,  or  that  he  did  not  consider  hims 
self  bound  to  me  for  anything  more. 

In  this  position,  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  know,  whether  I  am  to  be  thrown  up- 
on my  own  very  inefficient  resources,  or  if  I  am  to  be  sustained  by  those  who  are 
bound  by  every  consideration  of  honor  and  manhood,  their  interests,  and  reputa- 
tions, to  adhere  to  me. 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTVVORTH. 

Messrs.  Bowbk,  Blatchford,  Draper  and  Wetmore. 

The  foUo)»ing  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  enclosed  at  this  time : 
7 


New  YoBK,  May  Ist,  lS4l. 
Messrs.  BowEN,  Blatchpobd,  Dbapeb  and  Wetmoke  : 

Gentlemen— It  is  with  extreme  reluctance  thai  I  address  you,  to  appeal  to  your 
sense  of  honor  and  justice,  to  urge  upon  Mr.  Benson  the  fulfilment  of  the  engage- 
ments made  with  me.  I  have  received  repeated  assurances  from  at  least  two  of 
your  number,  that  they  would  be  performed.  About  ten  days  since,  Mr.  Charles 
A.  Stetson  called  upon  Mr.  Benson,  who  promised  to  attend  to  his  requests.  Mr. 
Benson  urged,  among  other  matters,  that  I  ought  to  curtail  my  expenses.  That 
the  public  talked  a  good  deal  about  my  living  at  the  Astor  House  ;  and,  in  cons 
Sequence  of  this  suggestion,  two  days  subsequently,  I  sent  m.y  family  in  thecoun* 
try,  reducing  my  expenses  more  than  one-half.  This  being  done,  on  Wednesday 
last  Mr.  Benson  desired  that  I  w^ould  address  a  note  to  him,  stating  what  I  re^ 
quired.  I  immediately  complied  with  his  request;  but  not  receiving  an  anst's^er, 
and  understanding  that  he  intended  to  leave  yesterday  afternoon  for  Albany,  I 
wrote  a  second  note ;  and  still  receiving  no  answer,  I  called  at  his  house,  and  re> 
ceived  from  him  a  refusal  to  do  anything.  Under  these  embarrassing  circums 
stances,  I  have  thought  it  proper  to  inform  you  of  the  state  of  the  negociation, 
that  you  may  have  en  opportunity  to  see  that  it  is  performed.  The  amount  in 
question  is  inconsiderable  in  itsel*^,  but  of  infinite  importance  to  me. 

I  would  hers  advert  to  the  delay  that  has  been  occasioned  by  the  iieglect  in 
paying  Mr.  O'Connor,  my  counsel,  the  balance  of  his  fee,  after  having  been  ads 
vised,  and  urged,  to  employ  him,  and  repeated  assurances  that  it  should  be  done. 
But  for  this,  the  mdiclmenis  against  me  would  have  been  disposed  of  a  week  since; 
and  from  the  present  position,  I  have  reason  to  apprehend,  that  it  will  be  necessary 
for  me  to  employ  other  counsel,  and  I  have  thought  of  consulting  either  Mr.  Morx 
rill,  or  Mr.  S  ha  lor. 

I  hope  you  will  now  see  th3  necessity  of  an  immediate  reply  to  this  communi- 
cation, that  I  may  understand  what  I  am  to  depend  on. 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  instant,  I  had  soqie  conversation  with  Mr.  Coleman 
on  the  subject  of  employing  counsel.  Reappeared  desirous  that  Mr.  O'Connor 
or  Mr.  David  Graham,  Jr.,  should  be  employed  to  conduct  the  trial.  We  started 
together  to  call  on  Mr.  Graham.  In  going  through  Beekman  street,  near  the 
Clinton  Hotel,  I  pointed  cut  Tvlr.  O'Connor,  who  was  going  down  Nassau  street. 
Mr.  Coleman  ran  after,  and  had  a  few  moments  conversation  with  Mr.  0'Con> 
nor.  On  his  joi  ning  me,  he  said  that  Mr.  O'Connor  had  promised  to  send  him 
word  whether  he  could  attend  to  it ;  that  he  was  engaged  the  next  day  with  a 
trial,  and  that  he  could  not  possibly  attend  to  mine  unless  the  District  Attorney 
would  consent  to  postpone  it.  On  our  way  through  the  Park  to  the  ofl5ce  of  the 
District  Attorney,  to  ascertain  whether  this  arrangement  could  be  made,  we  met 
Mr.  David  Graham,  Jr.,  near  the  Post  Office.  Mr.  Coleman  stopped  and  spoke 
to  hira — I  walked  on.  Mr.  Coleman  informed  me  that  Mr.  Graham  would  send 
him  word,  during  the  morning,  if  he  could  attend  to  it  for  me,  and  that  he  had  as 
greed  to  give  Mr.  Giaham  §150,  if  it  only  occupied  two  days;  but  he  was  to  res 
ceiveS250,  if  he  was  engaged  longer.  Mr.  Graham  has  subsequently  informed  me 
that  iheeo  were  the  terms,  and  that  he  received  the  SiSO.  He  had  not  received!the 
balance  of  his  fee  when  I  last  conversed  with  him.  Mr.  O'Connor  did  not  cons 
sent  to  take  any  part  in  my  trial,  and  I  asBOCiatcd  Mr.  James  M.  £}mi(h,  Jr.  with 
Mr.  Graham. 


51 


My  trial  came  on,  and  occupied  four  days;  the  particulars  are  familiar  to  th» 
public.  The  jury  were  divided,  seven  for  acquittal  and  five  for  conviction.  I  suf- 
fered much  annoyance  about  this  time,  in  consfq'isnceof  being  surrendered  by  my 
bail.  In  this  emergency,  and  after  unsuccessfuily  sending?  to  several  of  the  par*, 
ties  implicated  in  these  frauds,  which  was  disregarded  by  all  excepting  one  per- 
son, who  came  up  about  dusk  to  the  Court  of  Sessions  for  this  purpose.  Mr.  Del 
Vecchio,  a  gentleman  comparatively  a  stranger  to  me,  had  previously  come  for- 
ward and  generously  became  my  bail  in  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars.  Such 
instances  of  philanthropy,  of  high  and  generous  disinterested  consideration,  in  a 
political  opponent,  are  rare.    He  has,  and  ever  wiil  hive,  my  gratitude. 

On  Thursday,  the  10:hday  of  June,  an  application  was  made  by  my  counsef, 
J.  M.  Smith,  Jr.  Esq  ,  to  reduce  my  bail  to  five  hundred  dii'.ars.  The  court  wish- 
ed time  to  consider  the  motion,  and  informed  my  counsel  that  they  would  give  their 
decision  on  the  following  day.  When  this  application  was  made,  I  observed  Rlr. 
Benson  and  Mr.  Justice  Blerritt  in  the  court  room.  It  will  be  remarked,  that  at 
this  time  Mr.  Benson  was  not  even  on  speaking  terms  with  me  O  i  my  way 
from  the  court  room  with  my  counsel,  Mr,  Benson  came  up  and  3p  )k'^  to  me  in  a 
very  familiar  manner.  He  said,  that  so  so^n  as  the  bail  v/as  reduced,  he  wished 
to  see  me.  I  asked  him  to  call  at  my  lodgings  in  VVarren  street,  imaieJiately  op> 
posiie  to  his  house.  He  said,  "ncj  that  v/on't  do."  I  then  remarked,  thit  I 
would  call  on  him  at  his  house.  He  again  dissented,  and  said  that  it  would  not 
do  for  us  to  be  seen  together.  He  said  that  he  was  ob'igad  to  attend  a  meeting  of 
one  of  the  committees  the  nest  evening  at  the  City  Hall,  and  that  he  would  see 
me  after  the  meeting,  at  nine  o'clock,  in  frj.nt  of  the  Ha;!.  I  did  not  meet  this 
appointment  in  consequeace  of  a  severe  storm.  The  next  morning  I  saw  Mr, 
Benson  several  times  before  breakfast,  on  the  steps  of  his  front  door.  From  his 
manner  in  looking  over,  and  coming  to  the  door  so  freqiontly,  I  was  satisfied 
that  he  was  desirous  to  see  me.  At  about  half  past  eight  o'clock,  Mr.  Benson 
came  out  of  his  house,  stood  and  looked  towards  m.y  window;  wilked  along,  and 
waited  on  the  corner  of  the  street,  (West  Broadway  and  Warren  street,)  until  I 
came  out,  and  joined  him.  I  walked  with  and  iefc  him  on  the  corner  of  Green 
wich  and  Vesey  streets.  We  had  considerable  conversiiijn.  He  informed  me, 
that  every  body  was  interfering  with  him  and  his  busines^^.  That  committees  of 
the  whig  party  had  insisted  on  the  removal  of  hi^  deputy ;  and  that  they  wanted 
to  know  what  connection  he  had  with  me.  He  said  that  he  was  sorry  that  ho 
had  ever  embarked  in  the  business,  and  wished  that  he  could  wash  his  hands  of 
it.  He  informed  me  that  he  "could  not  do  much  ;"  he  might  raise  a  few  hundred 
dollars  next  week.  He  appeared  desirous  that  I  should  leave  the  city  ;  and  rC" 
marked,  ihat  if  I  was  disposed  to  do  so,  that  he  could  make  an  arrang^mjnt  with 
me  to  furnish  what!  might  require.  Mr.  Benson  made  some  suggestions  as  to 
the  disposition  of  my  family,  &e.  &3.  I  left  Mr.  Benso'i  with  an  agreement  to 
meet  him  in  ten  minutes  in  the  Park,  opposite  the  Astor  House.  He  promised  to 
hand  me  some  money,  and  proposed  borrowing  it  of  Mr.  Coleman,  or  Mr.  Stet- 
son, until  Monday. 

During  this  interview,  in  answer  to  Mr.  Ban3:)n'3  inq  tiries  if  my  bi[\  wa9 
reduced — who  had  become  my  bail — I  informed  him,  under  a  pledge  of  honor, 
that  the  gentleman  was  an  entire  stranger  to  me,  and  that  Mr.  Merritt  had 
procured  the  bail,  &c.  &c.  He  appeared  a  good  deal  amused  at  the  idea  of  my 
not  even  knowing  the  name  of  the  person  who  had  become  bail  for  me — I  had  for- 
gotten the  name.    Mr.  Benson  did  not  meet  hig  appaintrnent.   I  wen?  down  to 


Wall  slrcel,  thinklns;  that  I  might  meet  him.  On  my  way,  in  Broadway,  neif 
Pine  street,  I  met  Mr.  Merritt.  He  appeared  very  angry  that  I  had  been  so  in- 
discreet as  to  tell  Mr.  Benson  that  I  did  not  know  my  bail,  and  that  he  had  fur- 
nished it  for  me.  He  had  beard  it  in  Mr.  Blatchford's  ofl5ce.  He  cautioned 
me  to  be  more  circumspect,  and  we  parted.  I  saw  Mr.  Benson  twice  during 
the  morning.  At  the  firot  of  these  interviews,  I  mentioned  the  circumstance  of 
his  violating  his  pledge  of  honor  with  me.,  and  communicating:  the  same  to  Mr. 
Blatchford  and  others  within  a  half  hour  after  that  pledge  was  given.  He  flew 
into  a  most  violent  passion,  He  said  that  it  was  a  damned  lie,  or  that  I  was  a 
damned  liar.  I  told  him  that  it  was  cowardly  to  insult  a  man  who  was  pros- 
trate; that  my  first  impulse  was  to  strike  him,  but  that  his  age  and  my  situa^ 
tion,  and  fear  to  involve  myself  in  more  trouble,  saved  him.  At  the  second  in- 
terview, he  handed  me,  in  the  door  of  the  private  entrance  of  the  President 
House,  the  funds  I  required.  I  was  in  conversation  with  three  gentlemen  wher» 
became  up  and  said  that  he  wished  to  see  me.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  asBarl 
private  character.  Mr.  Benson  has,  for  many  years  past,  enjoyed  the  confi-' 
dence  and  respect  of  a  large  portion  of  this  community,  and  it  is  with  sincere 
regret  thai  I  am  compelled  to  record  facts  which  place  him  in  a  light  that  na 
honorable  man  would  covet  to  appear  in.  Mr.  Benson  knew  me,  or  at  least 
ought  to  have  known  me,  and  should  never  have  suffered' himself  to  become 
the  pUant  tool  of  a  persecution,  as  unrelentins,  vindictive  and  cruel,  as  it  was 
dishonorable  and  unjust.  Mr.  Benson  bad  known  me  under  more  prosperous 
circumstances;  there  was  no  necessity  to  superadd  insult  to  persecution  and  in- 
jury. He  was  now  in  the  full  enjoyment,  through  my  suggestion,  of  the  very 
office  of  which  1  was  deprived.  I  was  not  the  humble  suppliant  of  the  bounty 
of  Mr.  Benson,  or  any  of  these  parties.  I  asked  no  gratuity  at  their  hands.  I 
only  claimed  my  rights,  under  as  binding  a  contract  as  was  ever  made  between 
honorable  men.  Neither  the  original  contract  with  Mr.  Benson,  nor  the  Labse^t 
quent  one  through  General  Doughty,  have  been  strictly  adhered  to. 
On  Friday,  the  1 1th  day  of  June,  my  bail  was  reduced  to  one  thousand  dollars. 
On  the  14th  instant,  I  addressed  the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Bowen  : 

New  York,  June  14th,  1841. 
Sir— I  have,  on  reflection,  concluded  to  address  you  once  more,  and  this,  let  me 
assure  you,  shall  be  the  last  letter  you  receive  from  me  in  relation  to  the  un- 
fortunate transactions,  for  which  I  have  been  compelled  to  be  the  only  sufferer. 
You  know  that  I  !iave  it  in  my  power  to  make  expositions,  supported  by  proof, 
that  will  implicate  you  and  oliier?,  and  satisfy  the  public  mind,  that  if  I  acted 
wrong,  others  were  more  to  be  condemned  than  myself.  You  know,  also,  that 
for  months,  notwithstanding  strong  inducements  were  oifered  me  to  surrender 
the  papers  which  I  hold,  establishing  the  connection  of  yourself  and  others  with 
me,  in  all  that  was  done,  that  I  refused  to  let  them  pass  from  my  possession,  and 
have  passively  endured  all  the  odium  myself,  rather  than  let  it  fall  on  those  who 
ought  to  have  relieved  me  of,  at  least,  a  portion.  In  this  determination,  I  have 
been  influenced  alono  by  considerations  of  honor  towards  you  ;  whether  you  and 
others  are  actuated  by  the  same  impulses,  the  sequel  will  show.  The  time  has 
now  arrived  when  something  must  be  done,  or  I  will  give  publication  to  the  facts, 
connecting  you  and  others  with  the  alleged  frauds  of  1833, '39.  I  will  not  aufier 
as  I  have  suflcrcd,  and  tamely  submit.  I  will  not  allow  Mr.  Benson,  or  any 
other  person,  to  make  Rolenin  engagements  with  me,  and  break  them  at  their 
pleasure.   No,  thank  God,  it  is  not      you  suppose,  simply  ray  word  alone,  or* 


5S 


which  the  charges  against  you  rest,  though  I  understand  you  think  bo,  and  say  I 
have  no  proof,  but  you  are  mistaken.  I  have  proof,  and  strong  proof;  proof 
that  you  cannot  contradict ;  proof  that  will  establish  to  the  public,  what  you  knoMf 
already--your  participation.  I  have,  as  Mr.  Curtis  does  not  suppose,  proof  of  his 
c®nversation  with  me,  at  my  room,  in  relation  to  my  papers  ;  his  offer  of  S2000  for 
them,  is  a  circumstance  against  him,  which  it  will  be  difRcult  to  explain  ;  ordi«» 
NARY  MANUSCRIPTS  arc  not  so  valuable.  I  have  an  affidavit,  independent  of  my 
declaration,  to  prove  the  fact.  I  have  not  been  idle  ;  I  have  fortified  myself  with 
evidence,  which,  when  the  crisis  arrives,  can  be  used.  I  now  repeat,  and  for  the 
last  time,  that  unless  the  engagements  made  with  me  by  Mr.  Benson,  are  fully 
carried  into  effect,  and  that  too,  without  any  fjtrtheu,  or  other,  equivocation, 
that  I  will  publish  a  full  and  true  statement  of  the  facts  within  my  knowledge, 
which  I  will  fortify  with  my  own  and  other  affidavits,  letters  and  memoranda  in 
my  possession.  I  want  justice  done  to  me,  in  proportion  to  the  persecutions 
and  misery  I  have  endured  :— in  that  proportion  will  the  public  sympathy  bo 
meted  out,  when  the  current  changes.  I  repeat,  I  want  nothing  but  what  I  atn 
honestly  entitled  to ;  and  if  I  cannot  have  it,  I  will  see  that  those  who  are  equally 
guilty  with  myself,  shall  not  triumph  in  my  downfall.  If  justice  ia  done,  and 
truth  prevails,  you  know,  without  my  suggestion,  what  you  must  suffer.  I  feel  no 
disposition  to  injure  you;  neither  will  I  do  it,  if  I  am  dealt  by  as  I  should  be,  by 
you.  I  have  now  resolved  on  the  course  I  shall  pursue;  I  have  matured  it  in  my 
own  mind,  and  be  the  effect  what  it  may,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  I  shall  have 
this  satisfaction,  that  those  who  ought  to  have  befriended  me,  and  who  dessrted 
rae,  because  of  my  boingless  powerfull  than  themselves,  will  be  presented  to  the 
public  in  their  true  light.  About  a  week  since,  I  apprised  you  of  my  determina"» 
tion  to  enforce  the  arrangements  made  through  Mr.  Benson,  and  for  the  fulfiN 
ment  of  which,  I  had  received  your  repeated  assurances.  All  the  letters  I  have 
addressed  to  you,  and  the  memorandums  of  our  different  conversations  in  rela- 
tion to  the  transactions  alluded  to,  and  the  affidavits  in  ray  possession,  shall  be 
given  to^  the  public,  unless  immediate  steps  are  taken  to  carry  out,  in  good  faith, 
the  assurances  made  to  me.  What  you  determine  upon,  must  be  done  to  day,  as  I 
ehallleave  for  VYashington  to-morrow,  or  the  next  day.  I  say  unqualifiedly,  that 
I  do  not  ask  one  dollar  more  than  I  am  entitled  to  by  the  terms  of  the  agree- 
ment; neither  will  I  accept  anything  beyond  that  amount.  Justice  to  myself 
and  family,  require  of  me  to  demand  my  rights,  and  if  they  cannot  be  obtained, 
you  shall  feel  that  I  am  not  as  powerless  as  you  have  pretended  to  imagine.  It 
is  an  old  maxim,  "  that  truth  is  mighty,  and  will  prevail."  We  will  see  if  it  caa«« 
not  be  verified  in  this  instance. 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

JAS.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 
P.  S.  This  letter,  though  addressed  to  you,  is  intended  for  Messrs.  Blatchford, 

 ,  Draper,  Lawrence,  Cook,  Nathan,  Havens,  Swartwout,  and  Mr.  Curtis. 

You  may  refer  the  latter  gentleman,  independently  of  the  matter  before  referred  to, 
to  his  correspondence  with  some  of  the  members  of  the  grand  jury,  and  his  pledge 
to  Colonel  Hamilton,  as  I  am  determined  that  the  whole  matter  shall  come  before 
the  public. 

On  this  day,  I  received  a  note  from  General  Doughty  on  business  of  his  own  j 
and  on  the  following  morning  I  saw  him,  and  in  the  course  of  conversation,  in- 
formed him  of  thc'dishonorable  treatment  I  had  met  with  from  Mr.  Benson.  I  asked 
him  to  see  Mr.  Bowen,  with  whom  he  was  intimate,  and  to  have  Mr.  Benson 


54 


urged'to  fulfil  his  engagements  with  me.  He  promised  to  do  bo.  On  he  IStlx 
instant,  General  Doughty  called  at  my  lodgings,  No.  59  Warren  street.  He  in- 
formed  me  that  Mr.  Bowen  desired  that  I  would  withdraw  the  letter  addressed  to- 
him  on  the  14 :h  instant.  Ke  remarked  that  it  would  not  do  for  Mr.  Bowen  to 
move,  until  this  was  done,  as  it  would  apoear  as  if  he  acted  upon  compulsion ,  or 
to  this  effect — that  as  soon  as  the  letter  was  withdrawn,  Mr.  Benson  would  be 
seen,  and  the  arrangements  made  by  him  with  me,  carriid  out  in  good  faith.  I 
think  that  General  Doughty  iniormjd  me  that  Mr.  Banson  was  then  absent  at 
Albany^  but  would  be  in  the  city  in  a  few  days.  '1 

On  the  16ih  instant,  I  sent  the  following  note  to  Mr.  James  Bowen,  and  the  rev 
quest  contained  therein,  was  immediately  complied  wit!, : 

New  Yokk,  June  16ih,  1841. 

Sir— Will  you  be  pleased  to  return  the  communication  addressed  to  you  the  day 
before  yesterday  7  directed  to  me,  at  No.  59  Warren  street. 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENT WORTH. 

James  Bowsn,  E?q. 

I  wrote  a  note  to  General  Doughty,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

N3W  YoHK,  June  2Ist,  1S4I. 

Dear  Sir— In  compliance  with  your  suggestion,  I  immediately  addressed  a  note 
to  Mr.  Bowen,  withdrawing  the  communication  referred  to,  which  he  promptly 
complied  wi'.h.  May  I  further  ask  your  kind  offices  in  this  matter?  I  am  very 
desirous  to  leave  the  city  for  a  few  weeks,  and  am  prevented  until  this  business  is 
arranged  one  way  or  the  other.  Wiil  you  do  me  the  favor  to  see  ?flr.  Bowen,  at 
your  earliest  convenience,  during  the  morning,  and  ascertain  whether  Mr.  Benson 
has  been  seen,  and  with  what  result  ?  I  would  not  trouble  you,  but  for  the  reason 
that  exception  may  be  taken  if  I  communicate,  or  ask  any  one  else  to  call  upon 
them,  having  been  charged  with  a  want  of  circumspection  on  other  occasions  — 
You  will  readily  see  the  propriety  of  my  making  this  requssi. 

In  haste,  truly  yours,  &c. 

J,  E.  GLENT  WORTH. 

General  Geoege  S.  Doug:i~y. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  I  again  saw  General  Doughty  at  my  lodgings.— 
Nothing  definitely  had  been  agreed  upon.  He  inquired  the  terms  of  the  arrange-* 
menl  between  Mr.  Benson  and  myself.  Wanted  to  know  how  much  I  had 
already  received,  and  >vhat  was  the  lowest  amount  I  would  accede  to.  I  msisted 
upon  the  whole  amount,  after  deducting  some  payments  I  had  received  on  in- 
dividual account  from  Mr.  Benson.  He  said  that  Mr.  Benson  denied  auy  ar«« 
RANGEMENT  WITH  ME.  That  the  parfics  implicated  by  me  in  the5e  frauds,  rather 
sought  and  defied  investigation ;  that  they  had  no  fear  of  me ;  that  they  defied  me ; 
and  almost  in  the  same  breath,  he  asked  me  if  I  would  consent  to  destroy  the 
papers  in  my  possession  :  that  is  to  say,  whether  I  would  throw  away  the  evis 
dance  in  my  possession  of  their  participation  in  these  frauds.  Mark  the  incons 
BiBTENCY !  At  one  moment  defying  me  to  the  proof,  and  at  the  ne.\t,  asking  the 
destruction  of  the  evidence  of  their  guilt.  1  was  very  angry,  and  expressed  my-% 
Belf  in  no  very  measured  termp.  General  Doughty  advised  me  to  arrange  the 
matter  with  Mr.  Benson,  on  the  best  terms  that  I  could.  He  thought  that  I  could 
not  get  the  whole  amount  Mr.  Benson  had  agreed  to  pay  me;  but  that  I  could 
possible  get  two  thousand  dollars,  and  advised  my  taking  it.  I  considered  him 
my  friend  and  adviser,  and  yielded  to  his  judgment.   Ho  repre»ented  that  Mr- 


55 


feen«on  was  embarrassed  ;  that  he  was  poor ;  and  he  left,  promising  to  attend  to 
this  matter,  and  to  see  me  in  the  course  of  a  few  days.  I  waited  until  the  28th 
instant,  and  not  hearing  from  him,  I  addressed  a  second  note  to  him,  of  which  the 
following  IS  a  copy  : 

Monday,  June  28,  1841. 
Dear  Sir — I  havebe-n  anxiously  waiting  to  hear  from  y  ju,  as  I  understood  you 
to  say  that  you  would  give  the  matter  your  immeJiate  attention.  I  regret  to  ims 
portune  you,  but  I  am  desirous  to  know  d_ finitely  whether  the  engagements  mide 
in  good  faitti  with  me  by  Mr.  Benson,  and  the  repeated  assurances  subsequently 
^iven  by  Messrs.  Bowen,  Blatchford  and  Draper,  that  they  would  be  adhered  to, 
are  to  1>8  violated  with  impunity.  I  desire  nothing  but  justice,  and  would  not  ac-« 
ccpt  one  dollar  beyond  wiiat  that  engagement  calls  for,  much  as  I  want  it.  There 
is  a  manifest  inconsistency  in  the  assertion  of  Mr.  Benson,  that  there  was  no  ar- 
rangement with  me.  How  can  you  reconcile  the  fact  that  he  has,  for  six  months 
past,  frequently  advanced  money  for  specific  purposes,  if  this  was  the  case.  How-, 
ever,  this  is  of  no  moment.  Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  see  Mr.  Benson,  and 
communicate  with  me  at  your  earliest  convenience;  if  possible,  during  the  day. 

yours,  very  truly,  &c.  &c. 

J.  B.  GLENTWOHTH. 

Gen.  George  S.  Doughty. 

On  ike  first  of  July,  General  Doughty  and  myself  had  another  interview,  duringf 
which  he  repeatedly  informed  me  that  Mr.  Benson  denied  his  arrangement  with 
me;  and  that  the  other  parties  were  under  no  apprehension  of  me.  That  Mr. 
Blatchford  and  Mr.  Bowen  considered  that  Mr.  Benson  was  bound  to  carry  out 
his  agreement  with  me,  and  that  they  would  do  all  in  their  power  to  enforce 
it.  But  that  another,  (whom  I  supposed  and  charged  was  Mr.  Draper,  and 
which  was  not  denied,)  defied  me,  and  said  he  v/ould  "impale  me  alive" 
if  I  dared  to  agitate  this  matter,  or  implicate  him;  or  to  this  effect.  1  ad* 
verted  to  the  mconsistency  of  Mr.  Benson  in  denying  his  arrangement  with 
me,  and  instanced  his  having,  on  the  strength  of  this  arrangement,  re-* 
peatedly  made  advances  to  me.  On  leaving.  General  Doughty  said  he  thought 
he  would  be  enabled  to  hand  me  the  check  for  the  amount  agreed  upon  the 
next  day.  He  called  on  the  next  day,  and  informed  me  that  he  could  not  make 
the  arrangement  to  give  me  all  cash.  He  wanted  me  to  take  three  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  then  six  hundred  dollars  in  cash,  and  the  balance  in  notes,  or  payments 
monthly  until  the  whole  was  paid.  This  I  declined.  I  now,  for  the  first  time, 
discovered,  from  the  drift  of  General  Doughty's  conversation,  that  he  wasempows 
ered  to  make  the  best  terms  he  could  for  the  other  party  ar  parties.  He  had  em» 
barked  in  this  business  at  my  instance,  and  as  my  triend.  I  considered  that  he 
had  lost  sight  of  my  interests.  I  told  him  that  I  would  not  take  less  than  one 
thousand  dollars  cash,  and  the  balance  in  two  payments,  or  drafts  with  his  accep- 
tances. His  object,  in  my  judgment,  was  to  defer  the  payment  of  as  much  of  this 
amount,  until  after  November,  so  as  to  secure,  if  possible,  my  silence  ;  and  the 
reason  is  obvious:  the  statute  of  limitations,  so  far  as  the  participation  of  Messrs. 
Blatchford,  Bowen  and  Draper  were  concerned,  protected  them  from  indictment. 
General  Doughty  left  me,  agreeing  to  see  me  at  the  same  hour  next  day,  and  in 
the  meantime  to  make,  as  he  said,  "  Benson  fork  up  a  check  lor  the  amount." — 
General  Doughty  did  not  call,  according  to  appointment,  and  I  ascertained  during 
the  day  that  he  had  left  the  city.  On  his  return,  he  sent  me  a  note,  as  follows : 
*'  that  80  soon  aa  the  thing  is  dsne  I  will  advise  you."  This  note  was  not  signed ; 
it  was  in  reply  to  a  communication  from  me. 


The  reader  will  readily  perceive,  that  the  object  I  have  in  view,  in  adverting  to 
this  correspondence,  is  to  show  the  intimate  relation  of  the  parties  impHcated  in 
these  frauds.  However  unwilling  I  may  be  to  task  the  patience  of  any  one,  still 
I  cannot,  injus'iceto  myself,  and  in  accordance  with  my  pledge  to  the  public, 
keep  back  any  fact,  or  incident,  tendmg  in  any  way  to  a  clear  exposition  and  un"* 
derstanding  of  these  frauds.  There  are,  however,  some  circumstances  entirely  of 
a  personal  character,  growing  out  of  this  correspondence,  which  for  the  present  is 
withheld,  and  may  never  possibly  transpire.  It  they  do,  it  will  be  occasioned  by 
the  act3  of  others. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  I  addressed  a  note  to  Mr.  Benson,  of  which  the  following 
IS  a  copy : 

New  York,  July  15th  1S41. 
Sir— The  continued  absence  of  General  Doughty  from  the  city,  prevents  my 
communicating  with  you  through  him.  I  am  desirous  to  ascertain  whether  the 
•proposition  made  and  acceded  to,  on  the  first  instant,  will  be  adhered  to,  or  other- 
wise? It  is  badpohcy  to  agitate  the  public  mind  on  this  subject,  and  can  answer 
no  good  purpose.  I  am  ready  and  willing  to  do  every  thing  that  was  right.  Why 
is  it  that  this  arrangement  is  not  carried  into  effect  in  good  faith  1  If  you  will  see 
me  during  the  morning,  I  think  we  can  arrange  matters  satisfactorily.  If  so,  will 
you  send  me  word  by  bearer,  at  what  time  and  place. 

Your  most  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Egbert  Bbnson,  Esq. 

After  this  letter  was  dispatched,  I  went  down  to  Mr.  Smith's  office.  No.  3  Wall 
street,  at  which  place  I  had  agreed  to  meet  the  bearer  of  the  note,  to  receive  Mr. 
Benson's  reply.   In  turning  from  Nassau  street  into  Wall  street,  I  saw  Mr.  Benn 
«on  on  the  steps  of  No.  3  Wall  street.   He  crossed  over  and  met  me  in  front  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  informed  me  that  he  was  only  waiting  General  Doughs 
ty's  return  to  the  city  to  close  the  arrangement.    He  advised  me  to  keep  quiet, 
and  not  to  quarrel  with  my  best  friends.  He  asked  me  when  I  was  going  away,  and 
said  that  the  bail  now  was  of  no  consequence,  and  that  it  could  be  attended  to,  or 
to  this  effect.   It  will  not  do,  however,  said  he,  laughing,  to  advise  you  to  leave 
your  bail,  for  I  am  one  of  the  judges  of  the  court.   He  inquired  if  I  had  not  received 
a  note  through  the  Post  Office.   1  replied  that  I  had  not ;  that  I  had  not  been  to 
the  office  for  several  da)  s  past.   After  leaving  Mr.  Benson  I  went  to  the  Post  Ofn 
fice,  and  received  an  anonymous  letter,  which  I  recognised  to  be  in  the  hand-*wris 
ting  of  Mr.  Benson,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  now  in  my 
poBsesBion.   The  post  mark  on  this  letter  is  Jnly  13th,  and  addressed  to  Mr.  J.  B. 
Glentworth,  Warren  street,  New  York. 

"  General  D.  is  out  of  town ;  will  return  in  a  day  or  so.   When  ho  does,  any 
anangement  he  may  have  made,  will  be  immediately  carried  out." 

TUEBDAT." 

I  saw  Mr.  Benson  on  Saturday,  the  !7th  instant.  He  handed  me  some  funds, 
and  promised  to  see  General  Doughty  immediately  on  his  return  to  the  city,  and 
close  the  arrangement  with  me  on  the  following  Monday  or  Tuesday.  I  sent  not 
only  to  Gen.  Doughty,  but  to  Mr.  Benson,  several  notes,  urging  a  consummation 
of  the  arrangement.  I  received,  most  generally,  verbal  replies  and  'promises.— 
The  former  sent  mo  word  about  this  lime,  "  that  he  would  have  nothing  more  to 
do  with  It;"  and  gave  me  the  same  information,  personally,  at  his  store  after^ 
'wards,  I  think  on  the  same  day. 


57 


On  Wednesday  morning,  July  2l8t,  1841,  General  Doughty  sent  me  the  follow* 
ing  note: 

**  I  go  out  oj  town,  to  return  on  Thursday  mornings  when  matters  will  be 
arranged." 
Wednesday. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  he  did  not  meet  this  engagement.  After  there"* 
ceipt  of  the  anonymous  letter  from  Mr.  Benson,  I  was  desirous  to  obtam  his 
writmg,  to  compare  with  the  anonymous  one  I  had  received.  To  this  end,  I  sent 
a  note  to  Mr.  Benson  on  the  23d  mstant.   It  was  as  follows : 

Friday,  July  23d,  1841. 
Sir— General  Doughty  informed  me  on  Wednesday,  that  the  arrang-ement 
should  be  closed  yesterday.    Will  you  please  inform  me  by  bearer,  whether  you 
are  prepared  to  close  it  to-morrow. 

Your  moat  obd't  serv't, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

E.  Benson,  Eeq. 
I  received  by  the  bearer,  written  on  a  strip  from  my  note  : 
*'  General  D.  will  see  you  to  day  ;  he  told  me  at  eleven  o'clock.'* 
This  reply  is  in  the  same  hand  writing  as  the  anonymous  letter,  received  by  me 

through  the  Post  Office.    I  have  no  comment  to  make  at  this  lime,  on  the  con^ 

duct  of  these  parties.   I  will  content  myself  with  the  simple  inqiiries  :  why  did 

Mr.  Benson  address  an  anonymous  communication  to  mo  on  a  matter  of  business'? 

If  that  business  was  of  an  ordinary  or  every  day  character,  why  not  call  and  see 

me,  or  send  some  one  for  that  purpose  1 
On  the  24th,  I  again  cent  a  short  note  to  Mr.  Benson,  of  which  the  following  is 

a  copy : 

JuLY24ih,  1841. 

Sir— General  Doughty  informed  me  yesterday  that  he  wjuld  see  ms  at  ten 
o'clock  this  morning,  and  it  is  now  nearly  two  o'clock.  There  appears  to  be  an 
evident  disposition  to  trifle  with  me  in  reference  to  the  consummation  of  this 
matter. 

I  am  compelled  to  say,  that  unless  it  is  arranged  to-day  you  will  force  me  t.> 
take  some  measures  that  will  be  a  source  of  regret  to  all  concerned. 

Your  most  obd't  servt, 

J.  B.  GLENTWORTH. 

Egbert  Benson,  Esq. 

A  short  time  after  this  letter  was  sent.  General  Doughty  made  his  appearance. 
He  inquired  whether  all  the  papers  were  in  my  possession.  I  informed  him  that 
they  were.  He  then  said  that  he  would  expect  me  to  place  them  in  his  custody, 
so  soon  as  the  first  payment  was  made.  He  spoke  a  good  deal  of  his  diplomacy 
in  effecting  this  arrangement;  that  he  had  the  securities  for  the  first  and  second 
payments  in  his  possession,  and  that  he  would  secure  the  others  before  he  saw  me 
on  Wednesday,  on  which  day  he  appointed  to  meet  me  at  the  President  House, 
at  ten  o'clock,  to  make  the  first  payment. 

I  had  determined,  when  the  perfidy  of  these  parties  was  too  apparent  to  be  mis* 
taken,  to  entrap  them  in  the  very  snare  they  had  laid  for  me.  It  will  be  seen  from 
the  first,  that  their  great  anxiety  was  to  possess  themselves  of  my  papers  ;  this 
was  their  great  aim.  They  well  knew  that  those  documents  contained  evidence, 
not  only  tending  to  implicate  them  in  these  frauds,  but  to  affix,  and  rivet  by  adas 

a 


5C 


mantiae  bolts,  their  guilty  participation  upon  them.  I  had  however  resisted,  up  ta 
this  time,  all  their  overtures  to  possess  themselves  of  these  papers.  Mr,  Edward 
Curtis,  the  self-styled  "  hercules  of  the  party,"  could  not,  with  all  his  power  of 
eloquence  and  persuasion,  get  theiTi  from  my  possession.  And  it  was  the  destiny 
of  the  "  Great  Ajix"  of  th'^  same  party,  in  turn,  to  be  foiled.  I  knew  that  my  ar» 
ransement  with  Mr.  Benson  would  noi  be  consummated  unless  I  yielded  this  point, 
and  I  now  seemingly  acquiesced  in  their  views.  I  prepared  a  parcel  of  papers,  copies 
from  letters  and  memoranda,  &c.  &c.,  to  be  used  when  the  crisis  arrived.  After 
Ihis  was  done,  the  original  papers  passed  from  my  possession,  where  or  to  whom  I 
had  no  knowledge.  I  knew  that  they  were  safe,  and  that  they  would  be  forth'* 
coming  whenevtr  I  might  r-q  iire  WvMn.  Some  of  them  have  only  been  returned 
to  me  within  ten  days  past.  The  denouement  w  as  approaching — the  time  arrived f 
I  met  General  Doughty,  according  to  appointment,  on  the  28th  July,  at  the  Presis 
dent  House.  He  aakcd  for  the  papers  ;  I  handed  him  tke  package  sealed,  and 
they  were  received  as  the  originals.  Of  his  visit  to  Washington,  its  object,  of 
whether  these  papers  were  there  exhibited,  and  of  other  particulars  connected 
with  ih'isprofound  diplomacy,  is  not  knov.-n  by  me— it  is  matter  for  conjecture. 
The  question  arises,  and  is  as  easily  answered.  Was  I  justified  in  resorting  to 
this  stratagem  ?  Have  the  parties  acted  honorably  towards  me  1  Have  not  every 
means  been  resorted  to,  to  injure  and  degrade  me?  Have  not  the  parties  im«» 
plicated,  "  moved  Heaven  and  earrh,"  to  obstruct  the  legal  investigations,  and  to- 
give  the  charges  a  false  issue  7  Have  they  not  sought  to  hood  wink  the  judicial 
tri'aunals,  jury,  and  public?  Like  the  ostrich,  whose  head  is  concealed  m  a  bush, 
they  seemed  to  forget  the  awkward  and  deformed  mass  of  their  own  irreconcilable 
statements,  and  that  their  conduct  stood  exposed  to  the  broad  glare  of  public  in- 
spection.  Of  the  petty  annoyances  and  mortifications  that  I  was  subjected  to,  and 
obliged  tamely  to  endure,  caused  by  the  profound  diplomacy  of  one  who  embark, 
ed  m  this  business  at  my  sohcitation,  as  my  friend,  I  will  not  here  relate.  I  leave 
him  to  his  own  refl  .ctions. 

"  Who  could  bend  the  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee, 
Where  thrift  would  follow  fawning." 
The  evidence  to  prove  their  participation  in  these  frauds,  they  now  imagined 
was  within  their  control.  I  was  harmless,  for  they  thought  no  one  would  credit 
my  unsustained  declarations.  Still  I  was  not  enabled,  before  the  statute  of  limita'* 
tions  released  some  of  these  parties,  to  obtain  what  I  had  been  for  several  terms 
not  only  entitled  to,  by  long  practice  and  usage,  and  even  by  the  promises  of  the 
court,  a  discharge  ci  the  indictment. 

Up  to  the  very  last  moment,  we  find  the  minions  of  these  parties  surrounding 
the  court ;  and  even  the  very  parties  themselves,  making  an  effort  with  that  court 
to  discharge  the  bail,  but  to  hold  the  indictments  in  terrorem,  over  my  devoted 
head.  Previous  to  this  time,  the  parties  to  these  frauds  felt  secure;  they  bid 
trusted  to  my  sense  of  honor  to  shield  them.  This  security  was  now  at  an  end. 
They  knew  that  I  understood  their  baseness,  and  they  were  not  willing,  wtthouf 
an  effort,  to  give  up  the  means  to  coerce  my  silence. 

The  decision  and  firmness  of  my  counsel,  however,  prevailed,  and  effected  what 
in  justice  ought  to  have  been  granted  to  me  several  terms  before,  namely,  a  nolle 
prosequi  to  the  mdictment. 

This  was  entered  on  the  22nd  day  of  November,  1841. 

I  was  now  a  free  man  ;  the  bhacklcs  that  bound  me  were  cast  off.  I  breathed 
the  fresh  air  of  heaven  as  I  was  wont,  once  again,  with  inexpressible  delight.  Mjr 


59 


^^aonal  liberty  was  no  longer  at  stake.  And  I  felt  relieved  that  the  obligationa 
that  had  bound  me  to  these  parties  was  now  severed,  and  by  their  own  perfidy  to- 
wards me. 

It  was  my  intention  when  I  commenced  these  statements  to  have  submitted  an 
analysis  and  comments  on  the  several  affidavits  of  the  parties  implicated  in  these 
transactions,  taken  before  the  Recorder,  in  October,  1840.  I  have,  however,  taken 
up  so  much  lime  in  other  matters,  that  I  must  content  myself  with  a  f-^w  cursory 
remarks.  Mr.  Robert  Swartwout,  m  his  examination  on  the  occasion  referred  to 
swears  that  he  met  me  in  October,  1838,  in  the  cars  foe  Philadelphia,  and  by  ao 
%ident.  He  had  forgotten  that  we  started,  and  by  appointment,  in  the  steamboat^ 
and  that  I  acted  as  purser  on  the  occasion,  and  paid  his  passage.  On  our  arrival 
5tt  Philadelphia,  he  swears  that  he  introduced  rae  to  Colonel  Swift.  He  was  not 
aware  that  I  had  known  Colonel  Swift  from  my  boyhood.  At  the  interview  at 
Colonel  Swift's,  I  am  subsiituled  for  himself,  as  the  person  who  communicated 
the  object  of  our  visit.  Avery  natural  and  precautionary  mistake.  In  a  word, 
Mr.  Robert  Swartwout  makes  a  clean  conscience  of  it.  He  swears  right  through. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  Mr.  Swartwout  was  appointed  by  the  Collector  of 
the  Port,  and  is  now  a  measurer  under  the  General  Government. 

The  principal  feature  in  Mr.  R.  M.  Blatchlord's  affidavit  is  the  production  of  a 
copy  of  a  letter,  which  he  swears  was  written  by  Mr.  Draper,  and  sent  to  me  by 
William  A.  Ford,  at  Philadelphia  He  thinks  that  this  letter  was  written  by  Mr. 
Draper  "alone,  although  it  may  have  been  signed  by  Mr.  Draper,  Mr.  Bowen,  I 
think,  Mr.  Grinnell  and  myself."  ''If  it  was  not  signed  by  us,  it  was  written, 
certainly,  by  the  three."  "But  upon  reflection,  I  am  not  certain  whether  Mr. 
Grinnell  had  anything  to  do  with  it."  &c  &c. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  incorporated  in  Mr.  Blatchford  and  Mr. 
Grinnell's  affidavits,  and  referred  to  by  Mr.  Draper; 

'*  New  York,  October  31st,  1838. 

"Dear  Sir — Two  of  your  letters  written  yesterday,  have  found  their  way  to  this 
city;  the  project  which  yon  laid  out  is  not  wholly  understood  by  your  friends 
here.  The  position  which  they  consider  themselves  placed  in,  is  easily  summed 
up,  and  thdr  oniy  fear  is,  that  you  may  have  misunderstood  their  motives  and  de«» 
aires,  if  you  have  made  any  arrangements  which  in  any  way  tend  to  any  thing 
beyond  a  general  supervision  of  the  polls,  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  and  pre- 
venting illegal  voting,  you  must  at  once  uneq  livocally  abnndon  it,  and  look  to 
thera  for  any  expense  which  your  precipitate  steps  may  have  occasioned.  We 
value  the  oaf  se  as  highly  as  any  portion  of  our  fellow  citizens  value  it,  but  we 
•redetermined  not  to  enter  into  any  sort  of  arrangement  which,  under  any  cir-- 
cumstances,  could  be  construed  into  a  bargain  for  foreign  votes.  We  therefore 
take  the  earliest  and  most  effective  mode  of  saying  to  you  that,  while  we  are  reas 
dy  to  submit  to  the  expense  which  you  may  have  incurred  in  your  preliminary  ar** 
rangement,  we  will  not  countenance  any  system  which  can  in  any  way  encour« 
age  the  importation  of  voters. 

"  We  know  your  desires,  and  shall  be  willing  to  meet  your  wishes,  provided 
they  are  based  upon  the  simple  point  of  protecting  the  rights  of  the  honest  voters, 
•which  we  deem  your  only  hope  or  expectation." 

Mr.  Blatchford;  in  his  examit^ation  before  the  Recorder,  on  ike  22nd  day  of  Octo* 
her,  1840,  in  giving  the  date  of  this  letter,  remarked,  *'  /  have  made  a  mistake." 
And  I  now  call  upon  the  public  to  mark  this,  what  I  conceive  to  be,  fatal  mistake; 
for  there  is  more  in  it  than  meets  the  eye.   It  will  be  recollected  that  I  have  before 


«0 

atated  the  fact  of  my  unqualified  denial  of  the  receipt  of  this  letter  when  it  was  Jirat 
read  to  mebijMr.  Draper,  on  the  morning  of  the  2{st  day  of  October,  1840,  in /iw 
parlor,  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Blatchford.  Did  Mr.  Blatchford  date  this  letter  on 
th6  2\stor'ilst  of  October,  18407  How  easily  might  onesound  be  mistaken  for  the 
other  ?-  Was  not  that  identical  letter  prepared  to  meet  a  contingency  on  ihat  mor-i 
ning,  and  by  these  parties?  Was  not  this  a  cunningly  devised  invention  to  relieve 
themsel veSj  and  to  throw  the  whole  odium  upon  me  7  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that 
if  they  had  followed  out  this  base  plot,  that  I  would  at  once  have  availed  myself  of 
theoffdrs  of  the  District  Attorney  and  of  the  Court,  and  become  the  accuser,  ini 
stead  of  the  accused.  Mark,  also,  the  contradiction  and' discrepancy  as  to  th«5 
enditing  of  this  letter.  Mr.  Blatchford  swears,  at  one  moment,  that  it  is  written 
by  Wr.  Draper  alone;  at  the  next  moment,  the  three  certainly  participate  in  the 
coneoclion  of  this  precious  relic.  Mr.  Grinnell  is  made  a  party,  and,  at  the  next 
turn,  he  is  entirely  absolved  from  all  participation  and  knowledge,  except  appros 
vina  of  it.  Mr.  Blatchford  swears  that  this  letter  wasMriiien  at  Mr.  Grinnell'a 
house,  and  by  Mr.  Draper.  Now  is  it  probable  that  Mr.  Draper,  who  is  a  business 
off-hand  man,  or  that  either  of  the  others  would  sit  down  on  the  spur  of  the 
moment,  and  write  such  a  letter.  But,  aside  from  this  reasoning,  I  now  produce 
the  original  letter,  and  all  I  ask  is  that  it  may  be  contrasted  with  "  the  countern 
feit  presentment." 

"  Look  upon  this  picture,  and  on  this." 

Thursday  Afternoon. 
Dear  G. — We  were  a  good  deal  alarmed  this  morrting,  to  find  that  your  visit  to 
Philadelphia  was  suspected  here  and  talked  of  in  the  streets.  For  your  own  sake 
as  well  as  ours,  you  must  stop  sho.t  where  you  are.  The  enclosed  will  enable 
you  to  meet  your  engagements  as  far  as  you  have  gone.  You  had  better  return 
and  show  yourself  here  as  soon  as  you  possibly  can. 

Yours,  truly,  W.  SCOTT. 

The  bearer  knows  nothing. 

This  letter  was  handed  to  me  by  William  A.  Ford,  at  the  United  States  Hotel, 
Philadelphia,  on  Thursday,  the  Isi  day  ol  November,  1838,  at  about  twelve 
o'clock  at  night.  I  have  a  transcript  from  the  register  of  the  United  States  Hotel, 
and  the  name  of  William  A.  Ford,  New  York,  is  entered  on  that  day.  Can  any 
unprejudiced  mind  take  up  this  letter,  and  contrast  its  phraseology  with  the  pres 
cise  and  studied  manner  of  expression  of  that  specious  invention,  and  the  whole 
affidavit  itself,  and  then  arrive  at  any  other  than  a  correct  and  honest  judgment  ? 
The  letter  signed  W.  Scott  is  not,  as  I  believe,  in  the  hand  writing  of  Mr.  Dra- 
per, bat  written  by  Mr.  Bowen,  with  whom,  and  one  other,  the  fictitious  name  to 
be  used  in  our  correspondence  was  entrusted.  Mr,  Blatchford  swears  that  "Ford 
went  on  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Draper,  Mr.  Bowen,  myself,  and  I  think  of  Mr. 
Grinnell  also."  In  another  place  in  his  olBdavit,  he  says  :  "  I  think  Mr.  Ford 
went  on  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Draper  and  Mr  Bowen.  1  do  not  remember  wheth" 
er  I  ever  saw  Mr  For'pr  not.  He  was  a  person  Mr.  Bowen  knew."  Mr.  Bowen 
was  Chairman  of  the  Extcutive  Committee. 

My  statement  of  these  transactions  is  before  the  public,  and  they  will,  as  a  con- 
stqiicnce,  compare  it  vviili  the  affidavits  of  the  parties  I  implicate  with  participa-^ 
lion  in  these  frauds,  and  also  compare  the  affidavits  of  the  parties  one  with  the 
other.    For  this  object,  I  have  appended  them  to  this  publication. 

I  now  come  to  the  examination  of  Mr.  Draper's  aflSdavit,  made  at  the  same 
time,  and  under  the  same  circumstances.   And  if,  in  mercy,  I  forbear  an  analysiattf 


this  incongruous  mass,  I  trust  that  neither  the  gentleman  himsell,  nor  the  public, 
will  attribute  it  to  any  apprehension  of  being  impaled  alive but  that  I  am 
governed  by  the  reasons  and  consideiaiions  before  given.  Mr.  Draper's  aflQdavit 
is  a  tissue  of  contradictions  and  inconsistencies.  It  is  a  non  mi  rccordo  business 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end. 

Injustice,  however,  to  Mr.  Draper,  I  will  slate,  that  one,  at  least,  if  not  more, 
of  his  replies  to  the  several  interrogatories  by  the  District  Attorney  on  that  occa- 
sion, may  have  been  correct.  It  is  in  reference  to  that  sly  conceit  of  the  letter. — 
"  It  was  sent  by  Ford  ;  I  do  not  know  what  his  first  name  is."  "  I  think  it  was 
sent  to  Glentwortli  by  Mr.  Blatchfcrd."  Here  Mr.  Draper  and  Mr.  Blatchford 
are  at  issue.  Does  it  not  appear  somewhat  inconsistent,  that  I  should,  under  the 
circumstances,  as  admitted  by  Mr.  Draper  himself,  call  at  his  house  at  eleven 
o'clock  at  ni^^'ht,  to  make,  for  the  first  nnd  only  time,  at  so  unseasonable  an 
hour,  so  unreasonable,  not  to  say  improbable,  a  request,  as  to  ask  his  draft  on 
Philadelphia,  at  sight.  With  Mr.  Draper  I  have  done,  and  have  only  to  refer  the 
public  to  his  afindavit,  for  a  confirmation  of  all  that  I  have  charged. 

Mr.  Henry  VV.  Haven's  affidavit  I  have  before  commented  upon.  And  I  do 
not  consider  it  necessary  to  say  one  single  word  more  of  Mr.  Noah  Cook  or  his 
aflBdavit.   I  publish  it  as  a  matter  of  course,  v  ith  the  others. 

A  very  large  proportion  of  the  whig  party  in  this  city,  and  throughout  the  United 
States,  have  entertained  a  most  erroneous  impression,  that  I  had  violated  the  con- 
fidence of  the  parly,  in  communicating  its  operations  to  Mr.  J.  D.  Stevenson. 

It  will  be  recollected,  that  I  have  had  no  ability  to  place  this  matter  in  a  proper 
light  before  the  whig  party  and  the  public.  Until  the  22nd  day  of  last  month,  my 
personal  safety  made  it  necessary  that  I  should  tamel5^  submit  to  bear  this  stigma. 

That  I  was  not  the  first  to  communicate  the  fact,  that  such  frauds  had  been  x 
perpetrated,  I  have  an  affidavit  and  other  proof  in  my  possession,  and  am 
ready,  if  this  fact  is  disputed,  to  present  the  same  to  the  public.   The  fact  that 
frauds  had  been  perpetrated,  was  communicated  "  by  more  than  one  person  high 
in  the  confidence  ofihewV'g  party, and  I  hold  the  evidence  to  prove  it. 

I  have  now  redeemed  my  pledge  to  the  public.  I  have  given  a  statement  of 
the  frauds,  and  ihat  statement  is  true  in  every  particular.  I  might  have  been 
more  prolix,  and  given  some  circumstances  that  have  an  indilrect  bearing  upon  the 
object  for  which  this  is  made.  My  design  has  been  to  present  the  facts  in  such 
a  light  as  to  give  the  public  the  information  to  which  they  are  by  right  entitled — 
to  mete  out  equal  justice.  And  if  I  have  swerveJ,  or  yielded  in  one  instance, 
and  one  alone,  it  has  been  at  the  sacrifice  of  my  own  judgment,  and  at  the 
warm  earnest  solicitat.on  of  a  few  steadfast  friends.  A  sense  of  duty  hasdes 
termined  me  to  bring  this  matter  again  before  the  public.  I  can  foresee  the 
embarrassment  which  it  will  occasion  me  ;  I  can  foresee  the  attacks  which  will 
be  showered  upon  me  from  many  sources;  and  I  wou'd  wiUingly  have  suffered  it 
to  have  rested  where  it  was,  before  this  publication,  ill  could  have  re(5onciled such 
a  course  of  conduct  with  my  sense  of  duty. 

Having  wronged  the  public  by  my  acts,  I  could  do  no  more  nor  less  than  make 
to  them  the  only  reparation  in  my  power — confess  my  errors,  and  point  them  to 
others  who  pariieipated  in  those  discreditable  transactions,  in  infringing  those 
inestimable  rights 

"  Which  are  the  freeman's  boast, 
And  patriot's  only  hope." 


APPENDIX. 


Examinations  of  R.  M.  Blatchford,  Simeon  Draper,  Jr., 
Robert  C.  Wetmore,  Robert  Swartwout,  Noah  Cook,  and 
others,  before  the  Recorder  of  the  city  of  New  York,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1840  : 

City  and  County  of  New  York.ss:  Richard  "M.  Bhtchford,  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  counsellor  at  law,  being  duly  sworn,  havinsr  been  brouglit  before  n\e  on 
subpoena,  says  :  He  knows  James  B.  Glentworih ;  I  do  not  know  that  Mr.  Glent^ 
worth  was  appointed  with  Mr.  Swartwout,  or  with  any  ottier  person,  in  October  or 
November,  1838,  to  go  on  to  Philadelphia  ;  I  do  not  know  that  he  was  appointed 
alone  or  selected  for  that  purpose.  I  know  the  fact  that  he  did  proceed  to  Phila- 
delphia at  that  period  ;  I  do  not  know  at  whose  instance  he  went ;  I  do  not  know, 
on  his  return,  of  his  having  a  mseting  at  my  house,  office  or  elsewhere,  with  any 
persons  that  I  recollect ;  I  do  not  remember  having  a  meetins;  with  Mr.  Draper, 
Mr.  R.  C.  Wetmore,  or  with  Mr.  Glenlworth  about  that  time,  though  it  is  possible 
such  was  the  case,  as  it  was  before  the  election,  and  many  meeungs  v/ere  held 
about  that  time  among  our  political  fiiends  ;  I  do  not  remember  the  subject  mat- 
ter of  the  interviews  as  far  as  relates  to  Mr.  Glputworth  ;  there  was  no  draft  to  my 
knowledge  given  to  Mr.  Glentworih  by  Mr.  Draper  or  any  other  person  upon 
Mr.  GUI,  of  Philadelphia;  I  do  know  from  information  only,  that  Mr.  Glentworth 
received  money  to  be  used  in  Philadelphia  ;  I  received  this  information  from  Mr. 
Glentworth,  I  think;  Mr.  Glentworih  snid  he  had  been  informed  by  Colonel 
Swift  and  other  persons  in  Ph  iladelphia,  that  Mr.  Page  and  other  persons  belong- 
ing to  the  locofoco  party,  were  engaged  in  a  project  of  sending  on  to  the  city  of  New 
York  a  large  number  of  persons  to  vote  at  the  election  in  the  city  of  New  Yc-k. — 
It  was  suggested  by  some  persons  in  the  whig  party,  and  among  others  by  Mr. 
Glentworth.  that  the  only  method  of  safely  counteracting  the  effects  of  such  a 
project,  was  to  procure  from  Philadelphia  the  attendance  of  several  persons  familiar 
with  individuals  in  thai  city  who  would  be  likely  to  lend  themselves  to  such  a  fraud. 
Mr.  Glentworth  suggested  that  he  had  been  to  Philadelphia,  and  had  seen  indi- 
viduals there  who  had  promised  to  aid  him  m  procuring  men  to  come  on  here,  and 
be  present  at  our  polls  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  such  fraduleni  voters  as  the 
other  party  might  bring  on  from  Philadelphici.  Mr.  Glentwortn  stated  that  the 
measure  would  be  attended  with  someexponse,  and  that,  therefore,  certain  funds 
would  be  required  to  defray  those  exp  -nses.  In  that  conversation  was  under- 
stood that  funds  should  bo  furnished  for  that  purpose.  1  was  one  of  the  persons 
belonging  to  our  party  who  liad  the  disposal  of  the  funds  for  piymg  some  of  the 
necessary  expenses  of  the  election,  and  for  fh:it  reasun  this  communication  was 
made  to  me— I  gave  it  my  assent,  as  did  al?o  Mr.  Draper,  who,  I  think,  was  present, 
on  the  express  understanding  and  declaration,  that  under  nocircumsiances,  directly 
or  indirectly,  should  any  of  the  money  appropriated  for  that  object,  be  used  for  any 
illegal  purposes  connected  with  the  election,  or  for  bringing  any  person  whatever 
here  to  vote,  or  to  Uifluence  voters.  Mr.  Glentworih  gave  a  solemn  assurance 
that  for  no  such  unlawtul  purposes  should  any  portion  of  the  money  be  used.  I 
do  not  remember  how  mueh  was  appropriated  for  that  object,  nor  who  gave  it  to 
Mr.  Glentworih.  I  i.iink  Mr.  James  Rowen  was  present.  I  do  not  think  that 
Mr.  R.  C.  Wetmore  or  Mr.  Moses  H.  Grinnell  were  present.  I  have  no  recollcc. 
tion  when  this  took  place;  the  time  is  long  since  and  I  was  much  engaged  at  the  time 
with  matters  connected  with  the  elections.  I  think  this  was  the  very  last  of  Octo- 
ber. Whocmploy.  d  Mr.  Glentworth  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  I  do  not  know.  The 
application  was  make  to  us  in  con9e(iuence  of  the  expenses  which  would  he  at- 
tendant upon  It.  I  do  not  know  who  went  on,  or  whether  any  one  went  on  to 
see  Glentworth  belorc  this  at  Philadelphia.  I  know  a  man  by  the  name  of  Ford 
went  on  to  Pliiladel|)hia  after  lhi  \  He  went  on  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Draper 
Mr.  Bowenand  myself,  and  I  think  of  Mr.  Grinnell  also. 


63 


The  object  of  this  visit  was  to  request  Mr.  Gleiitworth  to  desist  from  eterf 
thing  thai  he  wis  doing  m  Philadelphia.  There  was  a  letter  written  to  Mr/ 
Grlentworth  by  Mr.  Draper,  I  think  alone,  although  it  may  have  been  signed  by 
Mr.  Draper,  Mr.  Bowen,  1  think  by  Mr.  Grinnell  and  by  myself.  If  it  was  not, 
however,  signed  by  us,  it  was  written  certainly  by  the  three,  but  upon  reflection,  I 
am  not  certain  that  Mr.  Grinnell  had  anything  to  do  with  it,  although  it  was  read 
to  him  and  approved  by  hiai.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  ;  "New  York, 
October  31st,  1840"—!  have  made  a  mistake,  as  this  is  written  from  a  copy,  and  I 
ask  leave  to  alier  it.   As  altered  it  should  read  : 

"New  York,  October  31st,  1339. 

"  Dear  Sir— Two  of  vour  letters,  written  yesterday,  have  found  their  way  to 
this  city  ;  the  project  which  you  laid  out  is  not  wholly  understood  by  your  friends 
here.  The  position  which  they  consider  themselves  placed  in,  is  easily  summed  up, 
and  their  only  fear  is,  that  you  may  have  misunderstood  their  motives  and  desires. 
If  you  have  made  any  arrangements  which  in  any  way  lend  to  any  thing  beyond 
a  general  supervision  of  the  polls,  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  and  preventing  ille«« 
gal  voting,  you  must  at  once  unequivocally  abandon  it,  and  look  to  them  for  any 
expense  which  your  precipitate  sieps  may  have  occasioned.  We  value  the  cause 
as  highly  as  any  portion  of  uurf;  How  citizens  value  it,  but  we  are  determined  not 
to  enter  into  any  son  of  arrangement  which,  under  any  circumstances,  could  be 
construed  into  a  bar^^ain  for  foreign  votes.  We  therefore  take  the  earliest  and 
most  efieciivd  mode  of  saying  to  you,  that  while  we  are  ready  to  submit  to  the 
expertfee  which  you  may  have  incurred  in  your  preliminary  arrangement,  we  will 
not  countenance  any  system  v/hich  can  many  way  encourage  thie  importation  of 
voters. 

.  "  We  know  your  desires,  and  shall  be  willing  to  meet  your  wishes,  provided  they 
are  based  upon  the  simple  point  of  protecting  the  rights  of  the  honest  voters,  which 
we  deem  your  only  hope  or  expectation." 

This  concludes  the  letter;  I  am  not  certain  whether  this  letter  was  sent  by 
mail  or  by  Mr.  Ford;  I  think  Mr.  Ford  went  on  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Draper 
and  Mr.  Bowen  ;  1  do  not  remember  whether  1  ever  saw  Mr.  Ford  or  not ;  I  do  not 
know  Mr.  Ford's  first  name  or  residence;  he  was  a  person  Mr.  Bowen  knew  j 
Mr.  Draper  has  the  draft  of  this  letter,  from  which  the  copy  I  have  read  was 
made  yesterday  ;  there  Wad  money  furnished  at  the  time  of  writing  this  letter,  to 
be  sent  to  Mr.  Glentworih,  but  I  do  not  recoUtct  the  amount ;  I  believe  I  gave 
the  money  to  Mr,  Draper  and  Mr.  Bowen,  from  the  fund  which  was  in 
my  hand;  my  impression  is  it  was  S200;  I  am  certain  it  was  notS500;  I  feel 
pretty  confident  it  was  S200— at  all  events,  that  is  all  I  know  of;  I  presume 
I  have  a  memorandum  at  my  office,  which  will  tell  precisely  what  the  amount 
was;  Mr.  Glentworth  returned  to  the  city  immediately  after  the  writing  of  ihi» 
letter — I  think  so — I  am  not  positive.  He  did  not  have  an  interview  with  me 
at  my  office  ot>  his  return  ;  according  to  the  best  of  rny  recollection.  I  met 
him  in  Broad  street;  I  do  not  remember  any  agreement  to  meet  at  Mr.  Draper's 
house  with  Mr.  Bowen,  Mr.  Grinnell,  and  Mr.  Wetmore,  on  Saturday  night  foN 
lowing  his  return  at  10  o'clock,  nor  do  I  remember  any  such  meeting;  two 
years  have  elapsed  since  that  time.  I  cannot  tax  my  recollection,  as  it  was 
a  time  of  great  political  excite  uent  and  occupation.  I  do  not  remember  a 
meeting  at  Mr.  Draper's  until  two  o'clock  on  Sunday  morning,  at  which  Mr, 
Glentworth  was  present.  The  letter  I  have  mentioned  was  written  at  Mr.  Grinnell's 
house.  I  do  not  remember  Mr.  Draper  giving  Mr.  Glentworth  one  or  two  drafts  at 
sight  on  Mr.  Charles  Gill,  of  Philadelphia,  amounting  to  two  thousand  dol- 
lars, or  any  such  sum.  No  drafts  v/ere  sent  on  to  Mr.  Gleniworth  by  Dras 
per  at  the  time  the  letter  was  written,  that  I  know  of;  and  I  think  it  could 
not  have  been  without  my  knowledge. 

Mr.  Glentworth  did  not,  to  my  knowledge,  go  on  to  Philadelphia  in  the  spring 
of  1839,  with  a  view  to  make  any  arrangement  about  the  spring  election.  I 
know  Henry  W,  Havens  ot  this  city.  J  do  not  know  of  any  money  being 
forwarded  by  him  to  Mr.  Glentworth,  either  in  the  fall  of  1833  or  spring  of 
1839.  Mr.  Robert  Swariwout  did  not  go  to  Philadelphia  at  either  of  our  in<« 
stance,  nor  did  I  know  that  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  nor  did  I  ever  hear  or 
know  of  any  other  person  or  persons  going  to  Philadelphia  for  or  on  behalf  of  the 
whig  party,  except  Mr.  Glentworth,  as  before  stated  ;  and  he  only  for  the  avowed, 
and  declared,  and  so  believed  by  me,  purpose  of  bringing  individuals  here  to 
detect  illegal  votes,  which,  it  vras  said,  the  other  side  intended  to  bring  from 
Philadelphia  to  vote  here,  which  intention  I  fully  believe  they  meant  to  carry 
into  effect,  which  was  the  sole  reason  of  my  giving  my  approbation  to  Mr. 


64 

Glentworth's  going  to  Philadelphia.  I  do  not  remember  what  the  two  letters 
were  alluded  to  in  the  leiier  above  copied,  nor  do  I  know  to  whom  those 
letters  were  written;  they  were  such,  however,  as  led  us  to  fear  it  waspossi* 
ble  that  Mr.  Glentworili  niiL'ht  do  what  would  not  meet  our  approbation,  and 
be  consistent  with  right  and  justice,  and  ihedisiinct  understanding unde'  which 
we  gave  our  assent  to  his  going,  ihougli  I  am  bound  to  say,  from  my  indis- 
tinct recollection  of  the  letters,  that  there  was  nothing  in  them  which  could 
show  that  Mr.  Glentworih  was  actually  engaged  in  any  illegal  proceedings, 
but  fearing  lest  his  ardent  temperament  might  lead  him  astray.  I  understood 
from  Mr.  Glentworih  that  sevtral  persons  did  come  on  from  Philadelphia  to 
detect  illegal  votes  that  fall;  he  did  not  state  the  number;  I  do  not  think  I 
ever  heard  the  number  Irom  him,  or  from  any  body  else;  he  staled,  however, 
there  was  not  near  as  many  came  on  as  would  have  come  if  our  letter  had 
not  been  written. 

I  do  not  know,  from  information  or  otherwise,  who  had  the  disposition  or 
appointment  of  these  men  afier  they  came  on.-  I  think,  however,  Sir.  Glent- 
worih fold  me  he  had  the  disposition  of  these  men,  and  that  he  came  on  with 
them  ;  I  have  no  recollection  how  many  he  was  authorized  to  employ  or  bring 
on  for  this  purpose — it  Was  not  many,  however;  I  have  no  recollection  or  know- 
ledge of  how  much  money  he  was  authorized  to  spend  for  this  purpose;  lean* 
not  say  whether  he  was  limited  as  to  amount — yet  he  must  have  been ;  I  have 
no  doubt  he  was  ;  I  have  no  knowledge  that  he  wrote  from  Philadelphia,  as 
to  the  terms  upon  which  he  could  get  the  men  to  come  on — he  certainly  ne- 
ver wrote  to  me,  and  I  had  no  communication  with  himj  except  as  above;  I 
do  not  remember  that  he  furnished  an  account  to  the  committee  of  money 
ppent  by  him  ;  ttiere  was  no  account  kept  by  me  of  the  moneys  paid  or  sent 
tohim,  nor  by  any  one  else  that  I  know  of;  it  was  pretty  exciting  times,  and 
rigid  accounts  were  not  kept.  I  never  heard  of  persons  being  sent  from.  Albany 
in  this  way  under  similar  or  any  arrran^jenient,  with  Mr.  Glentworih  or  any 
other  person. 

Mr.  Glentworih,  I  do  not  think,  ever  told  me  the  men  that  came  on  here 
with  him  voted.  I  did  undprsiand,  but  from  whom  I  cannot  tell,  that  there 
was  illegal  voting  on  both  sides.  I  think  I  saw  it  in  the  Evening  Post.  It 
was  in  consequence  of  th-Jt,  that  I,  as  one,  was  desirous  to  have  a  registry 
law.  R.  M.  BLATCHFORD. 

Taken  and  sworn  this  22d  day  of  October,  1840. 

ROBEUT  H.  MORRIS, 
Recorder  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

City  and  County  of  New  York,  ss  :  Robert  C.  Wetmore,  merchant  of  the  city 
of  New  York,  beiiig  duly  sworn,  deposeih  and  says:  Knows  Mr.  Glentworih, 
and  has  three  or  four  years;  he  was  appointed  Tobacco  Inspector  a  year  aeo  last 
winter;  I  have  no  knowledge  thai  he  was  sent  by  any  person  or  persons  to  Pnila« 
delphia,  in  the  fall  of  1838,  to  make  arrangements  in  relation  to  the  fall  election  ;  I 
do  not  know  that  he  was  in  Philadelphia  in  the  fall  of  1838 ;  I  did  not,  nnr  to  my 
knowledge  did  any  other  person  receive  a  letter  from  him  in  the  fall  of  1838,  from 
Philadelphia,  or  from  any  other  place  ;  I  know  James  Bowen  of  this  city  ;  I  do 
not  know  of  Bowx;i's  writing  a  letter  to  Glemworth  at  Philadelphia  in  the  fall  of 
1838  i  I  do  not  know  a  man  in  this  city  by  the  name  of  Ford  ;  I  had  not  the  most 
distant  knowledge  that  Glentworih  was  at  Phiiad  Iphia,  under  any  circumstans 
ces,  in  the  fall  of  1838  ;  I  did  not  meet  Mr.  Gleniworth  at  the  house  or  office  of 
Mr.  Blatchlord,  or  anywhere  else,  early  in  the  month  of  November,  1838  ;  I  never 
met  any  person  at  Mr.  Draper's  house  in  the  fall  of  1338,  nor  have  I  ever  been  at 
his  house;  I  know  nothing  of  Drajier's  drawing  a  draft  on  Charles  Gill,  of  Phila* 
delphia;  I  know  Henry  VV.  Havms  ;  I  do  not  know  of  any  money  being  given 
to  him  to  carry  to  Philadelphia,  or  package  eaid  to  contain  money  ;  Mr.  Bowen, 
in  1838,  was  Chairman  of  ihe  Young  Men's  Executive  Whig  Committee;  I  do 
not  know  of  perj^ons  timing  on  frum  Philadelphia  in  the  f-Ul  of  1838,  to  look  after 
illegal  voters ;  I  know  Noah  Cook  and  John  F.  Raymond,  but  I  do  not  know  Pa«« 
trick  McArdle ;  Raymond  was  alierwards  a  mt  niber  of  the  Commiiiee,  and  is 
since  made  Leather  Inspector— knows  nothing  of  Raymond's  character ;  knows 
nothing  against  him  ;  he  has  always  appeared  civil ;  never  had  any  conversaiion 
with  Raymond  about  persons  coming  on  from  Philadelphia  ;  I  never  told  Rays 
mond  to  send  McArdle  to  me;  I  have  no  recollection  of  ever  having  heard  McArs 
die's  name  mentioned  under  any  circumstances  ;  I  know  of  no  transaction  of  Noah 
Cook's  giving  any  person  the  charge  of  some  men  at  National  Hall,  to  attend  the 


65 


p6]\s  ;  I  never  heard  any  thing  in  relation  to  Mr.  Blatchford  and  others  writing 
to  Mr.  Glentworih  at  Philadelphia  to  stay  brinsrins:  men  on  here ;  I  do  not  kno\V 
otany  men  being  at  the  Alms  House  in  the  fall  of  1638  from  Philadelphia;  I  do 
not  know  of  any  clothes,  old  or  new,  beinsj  sent  to  any  committee  room  to  be 
used  dnring  the  tlection,  cither  from  the  Alms  House  or  any  other  place  ;  I  recom»i 
mended  Glentworih,  as  did,  I  presume,  others  recomiiiend  him  for  his  office ;  I 
did  not  put  his  application  upon  the  ground  of  extraordinary  services  rendered  by 
him  for  the  party  ;  I  think  I  wrote  to  the  Governor  for  him;  1  do  not  recollect 
whether  I  have  received  a  letter  from  him  about  his  office,  either  before  or  since 
his  appointment  ;  I  do  not  remember  whether,  subsequent  to  his  appointment, 
he  wrote  to  me  a  letter  about  his  reappointment  or  in  relation  to  some  attempt 
made  to  remove  him  ;  I  think  he  did  write  to  me  something  about  fears  he  enters 
tained  about  being  removed;  I  have  not  the  letter ;  it  is  not  in  my  possession, 
nor  under  my  control ;  I  do  not  know  what  I  did  with  it;  I  do  not  recollect  whe> 
therl  can  give  a  line  of  that  letter  ;  I  do  not  remember  that  Gleniworth  made 
threats  in  the  letter  that  he  would  make  disclosures  if  he  was  removed  ;  I 
do  not  recollect  that  I  showed  the  letter  to  ivtr.  Bowc"  ;  I  may  have  done  so, 
as  we  weremlimate;  I  may  ha  ve  left  the  original  letter  with  Bowen  ;  I  do  not  re- 
collect receiving  a  letter  coniaining  a  threat  that  he  would  make  disclosures  if  he 
was  removed,  or  anything  of  the  kind  ;  I  do  not  remember  calling  upon  Mr.  Bowen 
to  get  him  to  write  to  the  Govjrnor  to  retain  Glentworih,  yet  it  is  very  likely  I  may 
have  done  so ;  I  do  not  think  I  wrote  to  the  Governor  in  relation  to  the  siibject  ot 
his  removal ;  I  have  no  recollection  of  having  done  so  ;  I  do  not  know  of  any  other 
means  that  prevented  Glentworih' s  removal  other  than  those  ot  common  decency, 
which  would  prevent  an  active,  usefal  politician  bemg  removed  from  an  office  he 
had  so  ably  earned — I  am  confident  that  no  funds  went  from  the  Young  Men's 
Committee  to  Mr.  Glentworih,  as  if  it  had  I  should  have  remembered  it ;  I  do  not 
know  Bela  Badger ; although  I  do  not  know  that  Mi;  Glentworih  rendered  extra- 
ordinary services  to  the  party,  yet  he  was  an  active  and  useful  member  of  it;  I 
now  remember  I  have  known  Mr.  Glentworih  since  1834; 

'    ROBERT  C  WET  MORE. 
Sworn  this  22d  day  of  October,  1840,  before  me, 

ROBERT  H.  MORRIS, 
Recorder  of  tiie  city  of  New  York. 

Hobert  Swartwout  appeared  according  to  the  subpcena,  and  being  duly  sworn,  saye  ; 
Knows  J*mes  li^  .Gleulwonh, Tobacco  Inspector  of  this  city  ;  I  was  passenger  in  the  car 
for  Philadelpfiia  with  Gleniworth,  in  ihe  fall  of  1828,  and  I  think  in  the  month  of  October, 
between  the  15ch  and25lh  ;  we  met  accidentally  as  to  me;  I  accompaiiird  him  to  see  per- 
sons in  Philadelphia  alter  we  anived  there — the  only  person  1  acconjpanied  him  tu  see 
was  ttie  Mayorof  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Swift;  I  intoduced  him  lo  Mr.  Swifi ;  I  do  not  know 
what  liis  business-  was  wiili  tlie  Mayor  of  Phi  adelphia;  they  did  not  converse  in  inv  pres- 
ence upon  business  ;  I  told  the  Mayor  that  Mr.  Glentworih  tiad  re</nested  me  to  introduce 
him,  ani  he  had  some  business  wiih  him  ;  the  Mayor  and  Gleniwurth  conversed  together 
apart,  in  another  room,  witii  tokling  doors  open  ;  I  remained  with  the  family  ;  it  was  at  Mr. 
Swift's  house,  and  1  think  up.'n  Sunday  ;  I  did  not  know,  eiiher  from  Glentworth  orother- 
wise,  what  the  object  of  Mi.  Glentworih's  visit  wa&  to  Philadelithia  ;  Mr.  Glentworth  and 
myself  left  Mr.  Swift's  house  together  ;  had  no  conversation  with  Glentworih  "^itlierin  goin^ 
to,  or  while  in  Philadelphia,  in  relation  to  the  object  of  his  visit;  from  the  Mayor's  house 
1  think  we  returned  lo  the  United  States  Hotel .  I  do  not  recollect  that  I  introduced  him  to 
other  persons,  though  1  may  have  done  so  ;  I  went  with  him  to*  the  Exchan^ie ;  I  was  in 
Philadelphia  about  forty- eight  hours  ;  I  think  I  returned  and  left  Glentworth  (here  ;  was 
present  at  no  other  meeting  between  Glentworth  andlhe  Mayor;  before  I  went  to  Phila-. 
delphia  I  had  seen  Glenfworth  ;  I  was  in  the  habit  of  seeing  him  daily  in  the  committee 
room  in  Broad  street;  we  went  on  in  the  evening  boat;  I  was  not  requested  by  any  other 
person  to  introduce  him  to  the  Mayor  ;  I  do  not  know  James  Young,  the  officer  of  Phila- 
delphia; 1  do  not  know  George  VV.  Roan  nor  BelaBaJ<;er;  I  donor  know  that  Glentworth 
was  furnished  with  funds  by'any  person  when  he  left  the  city  ;  never  heard  it  so  stated — 
nor  that  he  was  furnished  with  any  while  there  :  I  did  not  gather  from  anything  that  he  said, 
nor  did  1  suspect  what  the  object  of  his  visit  was  at  the  Exchange,  I  think  the  day 
pj^vious  to  tlie  general  election  in  Pennsylvania;  I  do  not  know  that  Glentworth  had  a 
meeting  \\  ith  persons  here  before  he  went  to  Philadelphia  ;  1  think  it  probable  there  was 
a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  at  the  room  the  day  on  which  we  went  to  PhiladeU 
phia,  though  I  do  not  recollect  it ;  but  meeting  him  very  frequent,  I  was  not  chosen  as  a  del- 
egate \o  go  to  Philadelphia  ;  I  ao  not  knuw  whether  Gieniworih  was  sent,  or  whether  he 
went  on  nis  own  accord  ;  my  visit  was  not  at  all  connected  with  Glentvvorth's  visit  there. 

ROBERT  SWARTWOUT. 

Take,  before  »e,  .l.is20,h  of  October,  1840^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^ 

Recorder  of  the  City  of  New  York. 


6g 

City  and  County  of  New  Yor/t,  ss :  Noah  Cook,  forwarding  merchant  of  said  city  <  bein^ 
duly  sworn,  sail h  that  he  has  read  several  affidavits  in  a  paper  called  the  Standard,  publish- 
ed in  this  city,  in  which  it  is  represented  that  this  deponent  and  others  were,  in  the  fall  of 
1S38,  and  spring  of  1S39,  engaged  in  procuring  and  introducing  into  this  city,  persons  front* 
Philadelphia  and  Albany,  for  tiie  purpo.-e  of  voting  at  the  elections.  Tliis,  so  far  as  I  am 
concerned,  is  untrue  in  all  its  parts  and  particulars ;  neither  do  I  know  any  person  belong- 
ing to  the  whig  j^arty  who  was  engaged  in  any  such  enlerprize.  During  the  fall  of  1S38,  I 
was  furnished  with  information  fioin  Newark,  Paierson,  New  Br'mswick.  and  several 
other  towns  in  New  Jersey,  from  Philadelphia,  Albany,  and  fiom  several  towns  in  Con- 
necticut, that  arrangements  had  been  made,  and  were  making,  by  the  loco  foco  party,  to 
send  a  large  number  of  persons  to  this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  voting  the  loco  foco  ticket ; 
this  information,  in  many  cases,  gave  the  names  of  the  individuals  who  were  to  come  here 
ID  vote;  in  others  the  names  of  the  individuals  who  were  employing  persons  to  come  to 
the  city  to  vote,  with  the  amounts  paid  to  each  mdividual.  I  had  particular  information 
that  in  Philadelphia  an  othce  had  been  opened  in  Chesnut  street,  under  the  supervision  of 
persons  of  theloco  foco  party,  named  to  me,  and  that  they  were  sending  on  a  large  num- 
ber of  individuals,  the  names  of  some  of  whom  were  given,  and  which  individuals  did,  as  I 
tfas  informed  and  firmly  believe,  come  on  to  the  city,  and  that  sotne  of  them  did  vote  the 
loco  foco  ticket ;  and  that  many  more  would  have  done  so  but  from  the  measures  taken  by 
this  deponent  and  others  to  prevent  it.  And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  after  coming 
into  the  possession  of  these  facts,  he  advised  and  aided  in  procuring  individuals  to  come' 
to  this  eity  to  be  stationed  at  the  different  polls  to  detect  persons  sent  on  to  vote  the  loco' 
foco  ticket;  that  most  of  these  persons  did,  by  appointment,  meet  this  deponent  at  Nation- 
al Hall,  and  were  by  him  directed  to  the  several  wards  where  they  were  to  be  stationed. 
And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  he  knows  of  no  person  having  voted  illegally  at 
cither  of  these  elections,  alfhough  he  was  informed  at  that  time,  and  believes  that  there 
was  illegal  voting,  particularly  on  the  [lart  of  the  loco  foco  party.  And  ihisdeponent  fur- 
ther faith,  that  fo  muzh  of  the  afFulavits  as  relates  to  the  procuring  clothes  lor  the  use  of 
any  person  at  National  Hall  is,  so  far  as  he  is  concerned,  and  as  he  believes,  all  others, 
totally  false.  NOAH  COOK. 

Swoin  this  23d  day  of  October,  1840,  before  me, 

W.  R.  BEEBE,  Commissioner  of  Deeds. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  PATRICK  McARDLE,  TtrRNKEV  of  the  DeStors  Prison. 
City  and  County  of  New  York,ss  :  Patrick  McArdle,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  being 
duly  sworn  deposeih  and  says  :  he  is  now  deputy  keeper  or  turnkey  of  the  Debtors  Prison 
in  the  city  of  New  York  :  in  the  fall  of  the  year  1838, 1  was  then  attached  to  the  criminal 
department,  and  was  either  at  the  city  prison  as  underkeeper  to  Mr.  Cogswell,  or  was  at 
Bellevue  in  the  Penitentiary  department  under  Cogswell ;  I  am  not  certain  as  to  my  loca- 
tion at  this  time,  because  at  some  period  an  arrangement  was  made  by  which  Mr.  Balds 
win,  who  was  under  Mr.  Vanderbilt,  came  down  to  the  city  prison,  and  I  took  his  place  at 
Bellevue  ;  this  arrangement  was  made  ;  I  knew  while  it  was  going  on  ;  I  was  dissatisfied 
with  the  snggestion — conpulfed  with  my  friends,  and  ihrough  their  advice  I  went  of  Du- 
ring the  fall  election  of  1838, 1  resided  in  the  Sixteenth  Ward,  between  the  Second  anrf 
Third  avenues,  in  Twenty  sixth  street.  It  was  said  at  the  time  at  Bellevue,  that  some  pern 
Bonswere  discharged  from  BlackwRll'slsland;and  slept  at  Bellevue  for  i  he  purpose  of  voting 
—I  did  not  hear  the  number  mentioned— I  saw  one  person  with  a  wooden  log,  who  was 
said  to  be  one  of  them — I  do  not  know  that  I  saw  any  other — the  understanding  was  that 
these  persons  were  persons  on  the  Island,  and  were  discharged.  I  heard  at  the  Almsr 
House,  and  was  present  when  it  was  talked  of— I  had  some  men  there — some  ten  or  twelre 
men,  who  were  sent  there  to  vote,  and  Were  put  under  my  charge— they  were  sent  from* 
down  town— they  were  not  under  my  charge  over  an  hour— they  went  off  hither  and  thlth'- 
er  dissatisfied— I  wanted  them  to  stay,  and  they  said  they  would  not,  because  I  believe 
they  had  drank  rather  too  much.  At  that  time  I  had  been  introduced  to  all  of  them— in' 
the  course  of  the  day  I  had  a  hint  that  some  men  were  to  come  —Raymond  is  the  man  who' 
gave  me  flie  hint — he  said  they  would  come  from  head  quiriers— headquarters  meant  Na- 
tional Hall,  in  Canal  street.  Raymond  said  I  had  better  go  down  and  get  some  men— I  wenf 
down  to  National  Hall— 1  went  into  a  room  up  stairs,  and  the  men  we  re  assigned  to  mc  b/ 
Noah  Cook— there  was  another  man  present — a  tall  rav/-boned  man -I  do  not  remember 
that  any  one  else  was  present— the  men  were  brought  to  the  room  while  Noah  Cook  wa* 
present— it  was  understood  that  the  men  were  for  the  purpose  of  voting,  and  Noah  Cook 
Baid  these  are  your  men,  you  must  take  care  of  them.  I  took  the  men  up  Broadway  With 
me,  and  stopped  in  public  houses  in  Broadway  and  treated  them — I  got  all  of  them  to  thi 
Alms  House,  with  tiie  exception  of  three  or  four — there  was  about  one  dozen  in  all  piit 
under  my  charge— lliis  was  the  day  before  the  polls  opened  for  the  November  election  o^ 
1838;  this  was  three,  four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  We  went  up  Broadway  to- 
gether—I  was  to  take  t'^em  up  and  l.,dge  them  where  I  pleased,  so  that  they  could  Vote — 
they  all  leftmc  in  lcs.s  than  an  h' ur  after  we  got  to  the  Alms  House — it  was  about  nine  or 
ten  o'clock  when  we  got  to  the  Alms  House— we  had  been  talking  along  the  way  and 
stopping-Raymond,  now  Leather  Inspector,  was  the  person  who  first  spoke  to  mem  res 
laiion  to  this  business- Raymond,  at  that  time  was  atiached  to  the  Alma  House  depart- 
ment, anrl  fir8t8i)oke  lo  me  in  the  neighborhood  .  I  saw  .lames  Glcniworlh,  now  Tobacco 
Inspector,  and  conversed  with  him  about  this  before  it  was  done— Raymond  told  me  of  It, 
and  said  I  must  ace  C  enlworih  about  it— I  saw  him,  Gleniworth,  at  an  auction  elore  in 
Broad  street- Clentworili  said  there  wouM  be  some  men  here  for  the  purpose  t)f  voting  at 
tlie  then  coming  election,  and  from  what  Raymond  had  said  to  him,  that  I  had  be  ler  take 
care  of  them.  Thi.s  interview  with  (>lentworth  was  about  some  three  days  before  the  elec* 
tion  of  November,  1838— Raymond  may  have  spoken  often  in  this  hapshazard  way  :  we 


67 


are  going  to  have  some  men  here  (o  vote,  and  you  tako  care  ol  them-  1  had  a  memoran  • 
rium  of  the  names  oi  the  persona  which  were  given  to  me— Noah  Cook,  1  think,  gave  me 
the  memorandum  of  the  names  of  the  men— he  gave  mc  tliis  at  Naiional  Hail,  or  it  may 
have  been  given  at  that  time  by  the  other  person  I  have  spoken  of,  whom  I  do  not  know— 
I  have  not  to  my  knowledge  seen  the  other  person  since— I  have  never  seen  any  of  the 
gang  of  them  that  1  ha' I,  tliat  I  know  of  since— Raymond  asked  me  next  morning,  that  is 
the  first  day  ofihe  elociion,  what  had  become  of  them— in  fact  he  knew  it.  because  he  was 
attached  to  the  Aims;  Hou>e— Raymond  said  to  me,  there  are  men  going  ro  hi  here  to  vote, 
and  you  had  better  go  and  see  Glenl worth  and  lake  charge  of  ihem.  The  imdersianding 
was  for  Cook  and  the  other  man,  that  some  one  was  to  come  to  the  Sixteenth  Ward  and  take 
the  men— -I  was  to  attend  to  the  men  at  the  Sixteenth  Ward  poll- there  was  a  man  to  come 
and  fake  them  after  they  had  voted  aithe  Sixteenth  Ward— alll  had  to  do  withtliem  waste 
take  them  to  vole  in  the  Sixteenth  Ward— Raymond  was  then  at  the  polls  of  the  Sixteenth 
Ward,  and  asked  what  had  become  of  the  men— Raymond  supposed  that  they  had  cut  and 
run  and  went  off— which  is  the  last  I  heard  of  it. 

PATRICK  McARDLE: 

Sworn  this  22d  day  of  October,  1S40,  before  me. 

ROBERT  H.  MORRIS, 
Recorder  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

City  and  County  of  New  York,ss  :  John  F.  Raymend,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  beinp 
duly  sworn,  deposeth  and  says,  he  is  now  Leather  Inspector  of  the  city  of  New  Y'ork.  I 
know. James  B.  Glentworth,  Tobacco  Inspector  ol  the  city  of  New  York.  In  the  fall  of 
18?8,  I  was  connected  with  the  Alms  House  establishment  at  Bellevue,  in  the  city  of  New 
Yoi  k,  and  was  during  November,  1838.  I  know  Patrick  McArdle  ;  he  was  attached  at  that 
time  to  the  criminal  department  at  Bellevue  ;  I  know  Noah  Cook,  who  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  tne  legislature  for  this  city  in  she  fall  of  1838;  I  knew  Glentworth  in  the  fall  of  1838  : 
Noah  Cook  is  a  forwarding  merchant;  I  do  not  know  that  James  B.  Glentworth  procured 
persons  to  come  here  and  vote  at  the  fall  election  of  1?38  ;  1  never  had  any  conversation 
with  him  upon  that  subject  in  my  life.  It  was  talked  ol  that  Mr.  Ingersoll  and  Mr.  Brown 
were  organizing  persons  to  come  here  and  vote  the  loco  foco  ticket ;  that  Glentworth  had 
gone  to  Philadelphia  to  get  men  to  come  here  lo  watch  the  polls,  and  prevent  the  other 
persons  voting :  whether  Glentwoith  succeeded  in  getting  men,  1  do  not  know  from  my 
own  knowled-^e,  but  I  heard  he  did-  This  conversation  might  have  been  with  Noah  Cook; 
I  heard  that  Patrick  McArdle  had  a  gang  of  men  under  his  charge  in  the  Sixteenth  Ward  ; 
and  my  impression  was  they  were  part  of  the  men  GieiUworth  had  got^  this  I  heard  from 
McArdle  himself ;  i  might  have  told  McArdle  that  Glentworth  was  to  have  men  come  from 
Philadelphia,  and  that  he,  McArdle,  must  take  care  of  them.  I  had  this  conversation  with 
McArdle  while  Glentworth  "  as  in  Philadelphia,  as  I  suppose ;  I  did  not  see  McArdle  on 
the  night  previous  to  the  election  of  November,  1838,  unless  I  saw  him  bef  ire  he  had 
seen  Glentworth.  I  think  McArdle  had  his  instructions  from  another  man,  not  from 
me  ;  1  heard  in  difTeren*.  committee  rooms,  and  from  Noah  Cook,  that  persons  were  to 
come  and  be  at  the  different  polls,  from  Philadelphia  and  New  Jersey,  to  prevent  illegal 
voting;  to  watch  the  opposite  party.  There  were  some  such  men  I  know  from  New  Jer- 
sey, attending  the  Sixteenth  Ward  poll.  My  impression  at  the  time  was  that  there  was  aa 
enterprise  on  hand  to  get  illegal  votee,  and  that  the  men  which  McArdle  had  under  his  care 
were  to  put  in  illegal  votes  if  they  could  be  successfully  managed.  I  heard  a  great  deal 
about  Glentwortn's  being  gone  at  the  time,  and  I  heard  Noah  Cook  say  a  letter^had  been 
sent  to  him,  that  i  'he  had  gone  any  farther  than  to  get  men  to  come  and  watch  the  poll  and 
prevent  illegal  votes  against  the  whig  ticket,  he  must  stop  and  go  no  farther  about  it,  and 
this  I  heard  while  Glentworth  was  gone,  and  before  the  election.  I  did  not,  according  to 
uiy  impression,  see  Glentworth  alter  his  return  from  Philadelphia  before  or  during  the 
election.  1  now  remember  that  the  day  after  the  election,  or  very  soon  after,  I  heard  Glent- 
worth speaking  of  McArdle's  ineficiency,  and  said  he  was  not  the  man  for  him,  as  the  en- 
terprise had  failed  through  nis  inefficiency.  After  the  election,  the  amount  of  money  said 
to  have  been  spent  by  Glentworth  was  spoken  of  in  many  places  in  my  presence.  It  was 
eaid  he  must  have  appropriated  some  of  the  moneys  to  his  own  use,  and  had  not  applied 
it  as  he  was  to  have  done,  and  as  he  stated  he  had  done.  I  think  Robert  C.  Wefmore  was 
the  person  who  gave  the  directions  to  McArdle.  My  impression  is,  I  sent  McArdie  to  R. 
C.  Wetmore  to  get  his  directions  about  the  men  ;  I  should  think  it  was  the  day  previous  to 
the  election  that  I  so  sent  him  ;  I  heard  it  said  in  conversation  among  u?,  that  it  was  sup- 
posed we  had  got  in  enough  illegal  votes  to  balance  the  illegal  votes  put  in  by  the  other 
party  ;  this  I  may  have  heard  from  Robert  C.  Wetmore,  Noah  Cook,  Henry  W.  Havens, 
or  Glentworth,  but  am  not  certain  it  was  either  of  them.  Mr.  Robert  C.  Wetmore  told  me 
to  tell  McArdle  to  meet  him;  that  he  wanted  to  have  McArdle  meet  him,  and  that  there 
would  be  some  men  to  be  put  in  his  charge.  First  conversation  I  had  with  Mr.  Wet- 
cnore  was  that  Glentworth  had  gone  to  Philadelphia  and  would  get  some  men,  and  that 
McArdle  was  to  take  charge  of  them.  I  gathered  from  the  conversation,  though  J  cannot 
.give  the  words,  that  the  men  were  to  come  on  here  and  vote  illegally  at  the  then  conriog 
election.  JOHN  F.  RAY^MOND. 

Sworn  this  22d  day  of  October,  1840.  before  me, 

ROBERT  H.  MORRIS,  Recorder  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

Simeon  Draper,  of  No.  10  Warren  street,  merchant,  was  then  sworn  and  examined  : 
43,-   Do  you  know  James  B.  Glentworth  1 

A.  Before  answering  any  questions,  I  am  now  in  attendance  before  the  Special  Justice 
for  preserving  the  peace  of  the  city  of  New  V  ork,  under  and  by  vir.  ue  of  a  subpoena  signed 
iy  RobertH.  Morris,  Recorder  of  .the  ^;ity  of  New  York.  First  protesting  as  a  citiceu 


69 

against  the  authority  of  the  tribunal  before  whom  I  am  summoned,  as  an  arbitrary  and  JTItf- 
gal  body,  usurping  powers  in  violation  of  civil  rights,  and  of  the  laws  under  which  they  asv 
sume  to  act,  I  profess  uiy  readiness  to  answer  all  and  every  question  it  may  be  their  plea- 
sure, under  iheir  usurped  powers,  to  propose 

Recorder.  In  future,  I  desire  the  Cierfe  to  strike  out  tlie  words  Special  Justices  from  the 
subpoenas,  so  that  it  may  appear  that  the  parties  are  summoned  only  before  me,  as  in  fact 
they  are. 

Mr.  Whiting.   This  is  another  specimen  of  what  we  had  to-day. 

Recorder.  I  don't  consider  it  necessary  that  there  should  be  any  argument  on  the  sub* 
ject. 

Mr.  Whiting.  If  Mr  Draper  thinks  this  an  illegal  tribunal,  I  will  not  examine  him  orask 
him  any  question,  until  he  comes  to  some  tribunal  before  whicii  he  considers  himself  bound 
by  the  solemnity  of  an  oath. 

Mr.  Draper  then  ^ard,  I  wilUlate  that  the  protest  entered  by  me,  in  answer  to  the  sugges- 
tions made  by  the  District  Attorney,  is  not  intended  in  any  way  to  prevent  a  full  investiga^ 
lion,  so  far  as  lies  in  iny  power,  of  my  conduct,  or  that  of  others,  in  reference  to  the  subn 
ject'matter  under  consideration  ;  ard  I  sincerely  believe  in  the  efficacy  of  the  oath  ten- 
dered to  me  by  the  Recorder  on  this  occasion  ;  and  under  which  I  consider  myself  ac^ 
countable  to  the  laws,  and  to  my  Creator,  fur  the  truth  of  what  I  might  state  under  that 
oath  ;  and  that  it  is  not  my  object  or  intention  to  arrest  the  enquiry,  but  as  ihe  District  At-> 
torney  declines  asking  me  any  questions,  I  do  intend  to  make  a  statement  to  the  public, 
fall  in  every  respect,  under  iny  oath,  to  be  taken  before  his  Honor  the  Reconler. 

Upon  this  explanation  being  given,  the  District  Attorney  proceeded  with  the  examina'+ 
tion. 

Q.   Do  you  know  James  B  Glentworth'} 
A.   I  do. 

Q.   How  long  have  you  known  him  1 

A.   Three  or  four  years,  I  suppose.   I  don't  recollect  exactly. 
Q,.    Did  you  not  know  him  as  early  as  1"- 34 1 
A.    I  do  not  think  I  did.    I  may,  however. 

Q..  Did  you,  in  the  fall  ofl8.38,  just  preceding  the  election,  or  at  any  other  time,  draw  a 
draft  or  drafts,  or  procure  to  be  drawn  a  draft  or  drafts  upon  Charles  Gill,  of  Philadelphia^ 
or  any  other  person,  for  any  amount  of  money,  which  were,  or  were  t  >  be  given  to  Glent^i 
worth  ? 

A.  Glentworth  called  at  my  house  on  a  Saturday  evening  preceding  the  election  in  the 
fall  of  1838,  and  requested  mp  to  give  him  a  draft  or  letter  wliick  would  enable  him  to  ob- 
tain money  in  PJiiladelphia,  offering  to  give  me  New  York  c'lecks  or  bank  bills  for  ihe  same. 
I  gave  him  a  draft,  or  letter  wliich  was  tantamount,  lor  tile  sum  he  paid  me,  on  William, 
nor  Charles  Gill. 

Q,.   For  What  amount  was  yoiir  letter  or  draft? 

A.  I  cannot  say  exactly,  l>ttt  tliink  it  was  less  than  S 1000;  as  near  as  I  can  recollect  $600 
but  it  might  have  been  more. 

Q,.  Did  you  at  that  time  give  him  any  other  draft,  furnish  him  w<ih  any  other  fund",  or 
the  means  of  obtaining  other  funds? 

A.    No  other  than  I  include  in  my  previous  answer. 

Q,.    What  did  Glentworth  give  you  for  that  diaft  ? 

A.   I  have  told  you  in  my  previous  answer. 

Q..  Whose  checks,  and  to  what  amount,  what  kind  of  money,  and  to  what  amount,  did 
hegive  you  in  exchange  ? 

A.  Whose  criecks,  and  what  kind  of  money,  I  cannot  tell,  two  years  having  elapsed  si.ice 
the  transaction,  or  nearly  to.  The  amount  was  equal  to  he  draff,  or  letter  of  credit  given. 
Ic  annot  distinguish  how  muchof  tlie  amourit  was  in  checks  or  bant  notes. 

Q,.    Where  was  your  plac  of  bu.-iness  at  that  time,  and  where  your  residence  1 

A.  No  69  Pine  street  my  place  of  business ;  No.  10  Warren  stieet,  my  residence. 

Q.  Did  G.eniworth,  on  that  occasion,  call  at  your  house  alcne,  or  in  company  with  other 
persons  1 

A,  1  do  not  rememqer  any  person  calling  with  him. 
Q,  Did  he  call  by  appointment  ? 
A.  Not  inade  Willi  orbymc. 

Q.  Did  he  call  pursuant  to  an  appointment  made  to  your  knowledge,  information,  er 
belief,  with  any  other  peison? 
A.  He  did  not. 

Q  How  late  on  Saturday  night  did  he  call? 

A.  The  precise  hour  I  cannot  tell.    I  think  between  ten  and  eleven  o'clock. 

Q..  Had  you  seen  liim  before  on  that  day  1 

A.  Ii  is  impossible  forme  to  say. 

Q.  How  long  did  he  remain  at  your  house? 

A.  Long  enough  for  tti'^drai'ts  to  be  drawn  or  the  letter  to  be  written. 
Q..  Please  lo  state  the  number  of  hours  he  vvas  at  your  house,  or  the  hour  (hat  he  left  it, 
as  nearly  as  you  can. 

A.  He  left  us  as  soon  as  he  was  through  with  his  business,  in  pei  haps  about  thirty  min- 
utes, as  near  as  1  can  recollect. 
Q.  WlioeLsowis  prcsentihat  night  at  your  interview  with  Glentworth? 
A  1  remf>inber  of  no  one  at  the  lime  ho  was  there. 

Q,  Had  Gl.  tiiworih  arrived  in  thiscily  Irom  Philadelphia  on  that  day, to  your  knowlcdgo, 
iDformation  or  belief? 

A.  I  have  no  rccollection,or  knowledge,  or  information  that  he  did. 

Q  Had  he  bffcn  previously  to  Philadelphia  on  any  business  in  which  you  had  taken  any 
and  what  intercBt? 


69 


A.  1  think  he  had  been  to  PliHadelphia  I  never  have  been  interested  in  private  bxi^U 
bess  with  Mr.  Glenfworth.  I  think  he  had  been  at  Philadelphia,  bur,  on  no  business  at  mine 
nor  at  my  instigation,  nor  undei  ujy  advice  or  wiih  my  knowledge  when  h^  winit 

QL  Had  you  ever,  previous  to  that  Saturday  night, given  your  drafts  lo  Mr.  Gleatworth  in 
exchange  for  checks  or  money,  at  your  house') 

A.  Not  that  I  remember. 

Q.  Did  Glentworth  at  any  time  and  when  communicate  to  you  tlie  object  of  his  visit  to 
Philadelphia  J 

A.  He  did  on  one  visit,  I  don't  know  which.  He  told  me  one  time  what  he  was  going 
on  for. 

Q,.  What  did  he  tell  you  he  was  goin?  on  for  1 

A.  He  stated  to  me  tliat  he  had  ascertained  through  his  friends  in  Philadelphia,  amongst 
others,  the  ex-Mayor,  Col.  Swift,  tiiat  the  officers  of  line  Police  had  diFcovered  that  a 
veiy  important  arrangemant  had  been  made  by  ilie  then  Collector,  the  Postmaster,  Mr. 
Ittgersoll,  and  I  think  a  Mr.  Brown,  to  send  on  some  three  hundred  persons  to  this  city 
to  vote  the  Locofoco,  or  Administration  ticket ;  that  there  had  been  a  regular  ofSce  open- 
ed in  or  near  Chestnut  street,  where  men  were  taken,  barganed  for,  and  sworn  to  come 
to  this  city  to  vote,  and  that  it  was  utterly  useless  tor  the  whig  party  to  attempt  ta 
carry  the  election,  unless  these  men  were  prevented  from  carrving  out  this  fraud ;  that 
he  had  learned  through  Col.  Swift  the  names  of  some  of  his  old  officers,  and  obiained  from 
them  the  knowledge  of  these  facts;  that  they,  the  officers,  were  the  only  persons  wha 
could  detect  them,  and  they  could  do  so  as  they  had  all  the  particulnrs,  had  seen  the  oath 
andhstot  names, and  understood  the  entire  operation.  And  he  said  in  consequence  of 
this  he  was  going  on  for  the  purpose  ofmaking  arranitements  to  bring  on  men  to  identify 
and  detect  the  illegal  voters  who  were  reierred  to  above. 

Q.  Did  you  at  the  time  believe  this  statement  of  Glentworth's,  and  that  the  gentlemen 
named  as  being  concerned  in  tliat  business  were  so  engaged"? 

A.  I  then  belieVedthat  there  had  been  a  bargain  made  lor  illegal  votes  by  the  opponents 
of  the  whig  party,  and  I  believe  now,  that  such  an  arrangement  was  made.  I  shall  not 
give  any  opinion  as  to  the  precise  individuals  who  were  engaged  in  it,  without  a  more 
thorough  investigation.  I  have  nothing  but  rumor  to  add  to  the  testimony,  further  thau 
Glentworth's  saying  so  to  me.  Hissayinji  so  was  considered  sufficient  to  call  for  this  ex- 
amination; whether  it  shall  be  taken  in  evidence  against  the  individuals!  shall  leave  the 
public  to  judge.  Such  was  the  statement  made  by  Glencworth,  and  1  acted  upon  iiso  far 
as  I  did  act. 

Q.  Did  you  not  disbelieve  that  Mr.  IngersoU  and  the  gentlemen  named  were  engaged  in 
such  an  arrangement  7 

A.  I  do  not  remember  what  my  opinion  was  at  that  time  in  reference  to  any  of  the  indi' 
viduals  named,  except  as  the^  were  included  in  the  statement  made  to  me  by  Glentworth, 
I  do  not  wish  to  reflect  at  all  on  the  character  of  these  gentlemtu,  and  at  the  same  time  I  do 
not  wish  to  weaken  the  statement  made  by  Glentworth 

Q.  Predicated  upon  that  statement,  what  did  yon  do  1 

A.  I  can  fix  upon  no  positive  aci  at  this  moment,  further  than  before  stated,  except  to  ad- 
vise and  assent  to  the  carrying  out  of  the  plan. 

Q,.  How  long  was  your  assent  to  the  carrying  out  of  this  plan  given  previous  to  the  elec 
tion  1 

A.  I  do  not  remember— I  cannot  tell 

Q..  State  as  nearly  as  you  can  how  many  days  it  was  before  you  gave  him  the  draft  on 
Philadelphia  1 
A.  I  am  not  sure  that  it  was  not  on  the  same  day. 

Q.  Do  you  remember  the  answer  you  gave  Glentworth  on  his  disclosing  to  you  the  fraud 
he  spoke  of? 
A.  I  do  not  recollect  making  hiir.  any  answer. 

Q,-  Had  you  an  interview  with  Glentworth  at  any  lime  previous  to  the  night  you  gave 
him  the  draft,  in  which  the  coming  election  was  the  subject  of  conversation  1 

A.  I  had  Irequent  conversations  with  him  during  the  period  of  preparations  fur  the  elec 
tion. 

Q.  In  any  of  those  conversations  did  he  tell  you  of  any  plan  that  could  be  resorted  to  to 
defeat  the  contemplated  fraud  7 
A.  No  further  than  the  plan  before  alluded  to. 

Q.  Are  you  positive  that  you  did  not  know  that  Glentworth  was  or  had  been  in  Phila- 
delphia in  relation  to  the  election,  until  the  Saturday  night  you  have  before  spoken  of  7 

A.  I  did  not  know  tliat  he  had  been  to  Philadelphia  before  1  saw  him  on  Saturday  mght, 
and  as  I  Understood  from  him,  for  the  purpose  heretofore  stated. 
Q,.  When,  previous  to.that  Saturday  nignt,  did  he  tell  you  he  had  been  (here  on  businesst 
A.  I  believe  I  before  stated  I  could  not  recollect.  It  might  have  been  on  that  day. 
Q,.  Did  he  tell  you  at  the  first  interview  that  he  did  or  could  make  such  arrangements  7 
A.  I  think  he  said  he  had  seen  the  parties,  and  had  so  far  progressed  ^that  it  required  nc^ 
ihfng  but  money  to  finish  it. 
Q,.  Did  he  tell  you  by  whose  authority  he  made  these  arrangements7 
A.  I  do  not  remember  that  he  did  tell  mc  particularly  the  individuals,  but  I  understood 
that  he  was  acting  as  a  member  of  a  committee. 
Q,.  What  committee  7 

A.  One  of  the  whig  committees  of  this  city.   I  don't  know  which.   I  had  nothing  to  do 

with  it.   I  was  not  in  a  whig  committee  at  the  time. 
Q,  Did  you  understand  from  what  he  said,  what  committee  he  meant  7 
A.  I  understood  him  to  mean  one  of  the  standing  committees  of  one  of  the  twowhigor- 

gauizations  »  the  city— the  seniors  or  juniors. 


70 


A.  I  know  ofnoarransemonf  made  with  these  men,  of  the  character  referred  to  by  the 
District  Attorney,  nor  anv  other  arrangement  in  any  way  whatever  .aflfocting  their  con<]uct 
here  in  that  par.'icuiar.  I  want  to  add  to  that  Ido  remember  that  it  was  distinctly  stated 
that  there  was  an  ortfanizilion  g  >\  up  by  the  loco  fcco  or  administration  party  at  that  time, 
where  a  mark  of  ink  on  ihe  ear  was  understood  to  desitinate  them  at  the  poll,  and  have  no 
<loubt  the  District  Auorney  got  lhat  inlbrmalion  on  the  wrong  side— on  the  other  ear.— 
[laughter] 

District  Attorney-Then  I  will  taVehold  of  the  other. 

Q.  Who  was  it  ihaf  disfinctly  srated  this,  sir,  and  on  what  day  of  the  election  1 

A.  I  cannot  parficularizo  the  individual  or  individuals,  or  the  particular  dayl  heard  of 

it;  every  day  it  was  commonly  talited  of  at  the  lime 
Q.  Did  you  communicate  it  to  the  Inspectors,  or  see  any  man  at  the  polls  with  such  a 

markl 

A.  Not  to  my  recollection. 

Q.  How  many  persons  came  on  from  Philadelphia  1 
A-  I  do  not  know. 

Q.  How  many  of  them  did  you  see  1 

A.  1  think  I  saw  five  or  six  that  were  said  to  come  from  there.   I  do  not  know  whether 
they  did  or  not;  the  information  was  given  me  by  Mr.  Glentworth. 
Q.  Wliere,  and  on  what  day,  did  you  see  them  1 

A.  I  think  it  w.is  at  National  Hall ;  on  what  day  I  cannot  say.   I  believe  it  was  on  one  of 
the  days  of  the  eleciion  ? 
Q,  Was  you  introduced  to  them,  or  any  of  them? 

A.  I  believe  not ;  1  might  have  been,  however;  I  was  certainly  not  four  minutes  in 
the  Hall  or  the  place. 
Q  Do  you  remember  the  names  of  any  of  them  1 
A.  No,  sir,  I  do  not. 

Q.  Were  these  all  that  you  saw  the  whole  evening  of  this  thirty  or  forty  1 

A.  All  that  I  have  any  recollection  of. 

Q.  Wtio  had  cliarge  of  these  men  at  National  Hall  1 

A.  The  previous  answer  I  think  wi!l  suffice  ;  1  answer,  I  know  nothing  who  had  charge 
of  them  ;  Mr.  Glcntworih  was  there  when  I  was  there  ;  I  presume  he  had  charge  of  them, 
if  they  were  in  charge  of  any  body. 

Q.  Do  you  know,  sir,  whether  a  single  illegal  voter  was  detected  during  that  election,  by 
any  person  who  w^^3  hired  to  come  on  from  Philadelphia? 

A.  1  do  not,  but  I  believe— 

D.  A.  Thatisnot  an  answer  tomv  question. 

(Court  allows  him  to  proceed  )  Tliat  iheir  presence  at  the  polls  prevented  many  from 
voting  who  came  on  from  Philadelphia. 
By  the  Court— On  what  do  you  found  your  belief? 

A.  Upon  general  information  from  Philadelphia;  I  do  not  remember  any  special  infor- 
mation ;  that's  all. 

Recoider— My  object  in  making  that  inquiry  is,  to  ascertain  whether  a  fraud  of  that  kind 
has  been  cmninittea,  that  the  individuals  may  be  punished  ;  I  now  ask  whether  you  have 
any  knowledge,  information,  or  belief,  from  hearsay  or  otherwise,  thatwill  facilitate  me  in 
the  inquiry  ol  the  commission  of  such  frauds  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  them. 

A.  1  have  not  at  present  any  knowledge  upnn  which  I  would  base  a  complaint  to  the  Re- 
corder ;  I  understand  there  is  a  determination  on  the  part  of  our  Whig  Committee  to  fur- 
nish  evidence  of  this  character,  of  the  character  referred  to,  both  in  refe-ence  to  previous 
and  to  approaching  elections. 

Q,.  You  have  staled,  sir,  that  there  were  no  other  persons  present  at  your  house  at  the 
time  you  gave  your  drafts ;  were  there  any  other  persons  there  during  the  evening,  just 
before  or  just  after  he  came  on  account  of  the  proposition  to  raise  the  neressary  funds  ? 

A.  There  were  two  gentlemen  at  my  house  after  Mr.  Glentworih  left :  General  George  S. 
Doughty  and  Mr  Redwood  Fistier.  They  did  not  comelthere  in|conse(iucnce  of  any  ap- 
pointment, nor  had  thr:r  business  any  reference  whatever  to  Mr  Glentv7orth.  No  persons 
were  there  under  the  arrangement  alluded  to,  either  beforeor  after,  to  the  best  of  my  re- 
collection. 

Q,.  Was  the  money  covered  by  your  draft  the  first  moneys  that  had  been  supplied  to 
Glentworth  toprocure  persons  to  come  on  from  Philadelpliia  ? 

A.  You  mean  the  first  money  I  supplied  ?  i  carmot  remember  whether  it  was  the  first 
money  I  supphedor  not  ;  I  do  not  recollect ;  I  think  it  was.  That  was  all  I  had  anything 
to  do  with  ;  I  heard  of  another  $200. 

Q.  Did  Mr.  Glentworth,  before  the  money  was  supplied,  give  the  names  of  the  persons 
he  had  agreed  to  hire? 

A.  Not  to  my  knowledge. 

Q.  Was  the  number  of  men  stated? 

A.  1  think  it  was  thirty  f  ■  forty.  I  do  not  know.   I  think  they  were. 

Q,  Were  they  all  to  l>e  High  Constable::  and  police  officers  1 

A.  I  don'lthink  he  confined  himself  to  them,  in  his  rt-presentaf  ions. 

Q.  Well,  did  he  say  how  many  would  be  constables  and  police  officers,  and  how  many 
citizens— I  mean  private  citixens? 

A.  Hfi  never  went  into  detail  with  mo  on  that  subject,  lhat  I  know  of. 

Q..  Who  was  to  receive  the  men  when  they  were  sent  on  to  New  York,  and  assign  them 
their  rcHpcciivi!  places? 

A.  l(  I  speak  as  for  absolute  knowledge,  I  do  not  know. 

Q,.  Please  to  mate  all  the  knowledge,  information,  and  belief,  whether  obtained  at  that 
time  or  at  any  ottier  time,  upon  tlrut  subject. 
A.  I  understood  and  believe  that  some  of  the  men  were  in  charge  of  Noah  Cook  ;  I  haTO 


n 


fcfieh  his  a/Rilavit,  1  think,  confirniiiig  my  impressions.  1  have  no  knowledge  farther  than 
thatwliich  was  communicated  to  mc  by  Glentworih,  and  obtained  Through  a  rumor  at  that 
time  ;  and  within  the  last[few  days  Glentworih  has  stated  to  me  that  Mr.  Cook  had  charge  o( 
Bome  of  the  men  in  183S.   Mr.  Cook  admits  the  truth  of  this  assertion. 

Q.  Were  these  m-^n  to  wear  any  oui  ward  mark,  or  were  they  to  give  any  sign,  when  at 
the  polls,  by  which  they  could  be  known  1 

Q.  Did  not  Glentworih  tell  you  that  he  was  one  of  the  young  men's  standing  commiitee  1 

A.  I  do  not  recollect  that  he  told  me  so. 

Q.  Did  he  not  lellyou  that  it  was  by  authority  of  the  committee  to  which  he  belonged, 
that  he  made  the  an  angetneni? 
A.  I  do  not  recollect  whether  he  did  or  not 

Q,  You  have  stated  in  a  previous  answer,  that  you  think  he  said  he  had  seen  the  parties, 
fcna  had  so  far  progressed  as  to  require  nothing  more  than  money  to  finish  it.  Who  else 
Was  present  when  he  said  it  besides  you  7 

A  I  do  not  remember  exactly  who  it  was.  I  think  Blatchford  and  Bowen,  and  one  or 
two  others  were  present 

Q.  At  what  place  was  this  stated  1 

A.  I  think  it  was  at  the  corner  of  Broad  street,  in  Wall  street,  up  stairs,  which  was  the 
head  quarters  of  the  whigsatthe  time. 
^.  What  was  said  on  the  subject  of  money  at  that  time.  1 

A.  I  know  nothing  about  U,  except  at  that  time  there  was  a  general  disposition  express- 
ed to  obtain  money  for  the  purpose. 

Q,.  Did  you  ccme  to  any  conclusion  what  should  be  done  to  raise  money  to  be  appro* 
t)riated  to  that  object  1 

A.  We  came  to  the  conclusion  at  that  time,  or  subsequently,  to  raise  the  necessary  funds 
dr  money  for  that  purpose. 
^  How  much  did  you  agree  to  raise  ?- 

A.  I  do  not  remember  any  specific  sum ;  sufficient,  however,  to  accomplish  the  objecti 
If  possible. 

Q.  How  much  was  it  stated  by  Glentworih,  or  any  other  gentleman,  would  be  necessary 

accomplish  the  object? 
ioA.  I  do  not  recollect  that  any  specific  amount  was  stated 

Q.  Who  was  to  attend  to  its  collection,  and  co  whom  was  the  money  to  be  given,  and  hoW 
soon? 

A.  I  don't  know  that  any  particular  one  was  specified  for  that  particular  business.  It 
was  to  be  given  to  Glentworth  as  I  understood,  but  no  particular  time  mentioned  to  my  re« 
Collection. 

Q.  W-^s  each  gentleman  to  collect  what  he  could,  and  meet,  and  put  it  together  at  a  sub- 
sequent time  1 

A.  To  my  knowledge  and  recollection  no  such  arrangement  was  made. 

Q  Were  the  money  and  checks  given  you  by  Gleniworth  for  the  draft,  the  money  which 
was  collected  for  that  object'? 

A.  It  is  not  in  my  power  to  tell  wh^re  GleniWorth  got  that  money,  but  I  presume  he  got 
It  out  of  collections  made  for  that  purpose. 

Q.  Did  not  Glentworth  tell  you  so? 

A.  I  do  not  remember. 

The  court  then  adjourned  to  this  day  at  ten  o'clock. — Journal  of  Commerce. 
D.  A.— Q.  Did  you  not  know  or  have  reason  to  beheve  that  some  or  all  of  the  men  that 
tame  on  from  PhUadelphiavoted  in  this  city  1 
A.  I  did  dot. 

Q..  Did  you  not  know,  or  have  reason  to  beUeve,  that  the  arrangement  Glentworth  wan 
making  in  Philadelphia,  was  to  hire  men  to  come  on  to  vote,  previous  to  their  coming  on  1 
A.  I  did  not 

D.  A.  I  would  have  that  question  read  ;  I  want  you  to  reflect  on  that,  Mr  Draper. 

Mr.  Draper.— When  yov  say  previous,  I  would  say  fears  were  entertained  on  seeing 
some  letters  from  him,  wiiich'led  me,  with  others,  to  fear  he  might  do  so,  to  make  me  be- 
lieve there  was  a  rossibility  he  might  do  so. 

Q.  To  whom  were  those  letters  written  ? 

A.  I  do  not  recollect,  but  think  that  one  was  to  Robert  Swartv^out. 
Q.  Do  you  know  where  those  letters  now  are  1 
A.  I  do  not. 

Q,.  Have  you  any  information  as  to  the  person  under  whose  control  they  are  1 
A.  I  have  not. 

Q,.  Had  you  those  letters  in  your  possession  when  the  letter  of  the  31st  October,  1838, 
Was  written  1 
A.  I  had  not. 

Q..  How  long  before  that  letter  was  written  had  you  seen  these  letters  of  Glenlworth's  7 
A.  I  think  in  the  morning  of  the  same  day. 
Q.  Did  you  see  them  both  ti^gether  ? 

A.  I  do  not  remember.   I  think  they  were  both  in  the  Committee  room  together  in  my 
presence,  at  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Broad  streets. 
Q.  Do  you  know  who  exhibited  them  at  the  Committee  room  7 
A.  I  do  not  know. 

Cl.  What  were  the  contents  of  those  letters  as  near  a.s  you  can  slate  it? 
A.  Such  as  to  draw  forth  my  answer  of  the  evening;  1  cannot  sny  exactly. 

How  much  money,  in  all,  had  been  furnished  to  Glentworth  previous  to  the  writing  of 
that  letter?   I  will  call  it  your  letter. 
A.  1  don't  remember  any  farther  than  I  have  before  testified  In  relation  to  the  money- 


72 


Qt  Was  the  inorifty  covered  in  your  draft  furnished  to  Glentworth  previous  to  the  Vjrlji 
tlhg  of  your  letter  1 
A  .  I  thiak  it  was 

Q,  Was  there  $200  sent  on  to  him  at  the  time  this  letter  of  the  31st  September  wasae&tl 

Mr.  Aitree— October. 

District  Attorney — October,  I  should  say. 

A.  My  impression  is  that  this  ieiter  was  not  sent  on  at  the  time  of  the  money .  I  dori'J 
tecollecf,  however. 

Q,  State  all  your  knowledge  as  to  that  ^200,  how,  by  whom,  and  when  it  was  sent  to' 
G  lent  won  hi 

A  It  was  se»t  by  Mr  Ford  ;  I  do  not  know  what  his  first  name  is  ;  I  think  it  was  sent  to 
Glentwonh  by  Mr.  Biatchf  ]rd  ;  I  do  not  recollect  whattiay. 
Q.  How  long  before  your  letter  1 

A.  I  cannot  |iarticularize  the  time.  It  was  paid  by  Mr.  Blatchford,  it  came  fromhiiri,and 
I  think  it  went  on  with  myself  and  Mr.  howen 

tj  What  instruction  did  you  and  Mr  Uovven  give  to  Mr.  Ford  to  be  conveyed  to  Mr. 
Glentworih  1 

A.  I  do  not  remember  the  precise  instructions  ;  it  was  in  eflfect,  however,  to  stay  pro- 
ceedings of  his  in  reference  to  the  object  of  his  iourney. 
Q.  What  were  the  S200  sent  for'? 

A,  If  I  remember  right,  to  comply  with  promises  Which  had  been  madeto'some  of  the 
police  olhcers  who  had  made  revelations  to  him. 
Q,  Where  does  Mr.  Ford  reside  1 

A.  I  do  not  know,  but  presume  his  name  is  in  the  Directory  ;  I  have  never  seen  him  since 
that  time  to  my  knowledi^e. 

Q.  Is  he  engaged  in  any  business  1  Why  did  yon  judgp.  it  necessary  then  to  send  a  s[)e* 
cial  messenger  to  Glentworth,  instead  of  enclosmghim  the  money  1 

A.  1  think  there  was  no  mail ;  no  regular  mailcouid  reach  him  at  the  time  he  Wanted  the 
information  to  be  given  him. 

Q.  Wiih  whom  did  Gleniworth  correspond  in  this  city,  on  the  subject  of  these  arrange- 
ments! 

A .  I  do  not  know  that  he  kept  up  a  correspondence  wiih  this  committee,  if  at  all. 
Q.  How  long  before  your  interview  with  Glentworth  at  your  house,  did  you  send  Ford  to' 
Philadelphia  ? 

A .  I  do  not  remember  ;  I  think  it  was  after  that  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  not  before. 
Q.  How  long  after  that  t 
A.  I  cannot  tell. 

Q,.  Now,  sir,  did  not  Mr.  Ford  leave  this  city  on  Friday,  and  did  not  Mr.  Glentworth  re* 
tarn  to  this  city  the  next  day,  Saturday  ? 
A;  If  is  impossible  for  me  to  say. 

Q.  Where  was  Ford  intstructcd  that  he  could  find  Glentworth  at  Philadelphia! 
A.  I  do  not  know. 

Q  Do  you  know  where  the  money  came  from,  or  who  furnished  it,  that  was  carried  td 
Mr.  Gleniworth  by  Mr.  Havens  ? 

A.  Until  I  saw  Mr.  Havens' affidavit,  I  never  knew  of  any  transaction  between  him  and 
Glentworth  in  reference  to  money,  or  any  thing  elsn. 

Q,.  What  was  the  conversation,  state  it,  which  took  place  between  you  and  Glentworth 
on  the  Saturday  night  you  gave  him  that  draft  7 

A.  I  had  no  conversation  with  Mr.  Glentworth,  except  in  reference  to  his  giving  me  a 
draft  It  is  impossible  for  any  man  to  recollect  a  conversation  which  took  place  two  years' 
before? 

Q..  How  came  you,  sir, after  writing  that  letter  ontheSlst  October,  to  permit  these  mea 
to  come  on  here  from  Philadelphia  without  disclosmg  1 

[Mr.  Draper  submits  whether  he  is  on  trial.  He  is  asked  as  if  he  could  control  all  the 
people  in  Philadelphia.] 

The  Court  overruled  the  question. 

Q,.  In  this  letter  of  y  .urs,  y(  u  say  you  arc  ready  to  submit  to  the  expenses  Which  Glent* 
worth  might  have  incurred  in  his  preliminary  arrangements.  Why,  if  he  had  already  beerf 
furnished  with  the  funds  you  Irave  spoken  of,  did  you  make  this  statement  to  Glentworth  1 

A.  To  prevent  any  farther  expenditure  than  the  expenses  which  had  already  accrued. 

Q.  Was  the  instrument  thaiyou  gave  to  Mr.  Glentworth  on  Saturday  night  spoken  of,  a 
letter  or  draft! 

A.  I  have  before  stated  that  I  could  not  tell;  that  is  easily  to  be  ascertained. 

Q,.  Now,  sir,  was  not  th*t  draft  or  letter  given  to  Mr.  Glentworth  on  Saturday,  the 
3d  day  of  Neveniber,  1838  7 

A.  My  Impression  is  that  it  was  before  that— I  cannot  recollect  the  date. 

Q,.  I  understand  you  that  that  draf;  was  given  on  tlie  Saturday  night  preceding  the  eled- 
tbn.    [Minutes  referred  to,  but  the  witness's  words  were  U  Saturday  mtht  ] 

Q  The  Saturday  that  y ,  j  gii^e  that  draft,  I  understand  you,  was  on  the  same  Safardajr 
night  that  vou  went  to  the  Committee  rocm.  [Strike  out  that  ]  Did  you  make  any  entry 
of  that  draft  on  Mr.  Gill  on  your  hooks  7 

A.  None  whatever.  I  remitted  the  funds,  I  think  on  the  Monday  following  of  the 
amouniofthe  draft  or  bill  with  the  funds  paid  to  me  by  Gleniworth. 

Distrir-t  A'loi  ney  — That  is  all,  sir. 

I  am  dcHlroua  to  state,  before  cloKlng  my  testimony,  that  1  have  given  it  to  the  beat  of 
my  recollcetion  ;  the  time  which  has  elaps d,  however,  may  have  obliterated  from  my 
im  mory  the  precise  day  and  date,  hours  or  minutes.  It  has  been  staled  in  some  of  the 
newspapers  that  the  memory  of  Mr.  Hiatchford  was  conv sniently  short.  I  desire  ihcre- 
fure  most  eolemnly  to  declare  that  no  answer  of  mine  was  made  to  cover  any  fact  withlQ 


73 


raj  knowleJge,  or  give  any  other  than  my  full  testimony  so  far  aa  my  memory  servet 
cue. 

8.  DRAPER,  Jr 

City  and  County  of  New  York,  ss :  William  A.  Lflwrence  and  Jonathsin  Naf  lian.  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  beinsi  sevei  ally  duly  sworn,  lio  each  for  hims^ll  respectfully  srv,  an<i 
first  the  said  William  A  Lawrence  saitli  that  the  rharge  made  asainst  him  in  tlie  affi- 
davit of  Jonathan  I),  s^tevensnn,  published  in  the  Siandaidand  oiher  papers  of  tliis  city,  of 
having  acted  as  Secretary  and  aid  to  the  cnmuiilteeai  Nation  s!  Hall,  in  direciingacid  simkI 
ing  out  ilieg;il  voters  to  the  diffetent  wards  in  the  election  ot  November,  18:i8,  is  totally 
and  unqualifiedly  false;  and  that  he  was  and  is  entirely  ignorant  of  any  arrangement  (o  in 
troduce  persons  from  Philadelphia  or  any  other  pl;<ce.  toi  the  purpose  o(  vofinir  in  thi' 
city,  or  of  any  such  illcgd  votes  having  been  given  ;  ami  th-^  said  .lonat'ian  Nathan  for 
himself  saith,  that  the  like  charjae  made  astainst  him  in  said  affidavit  ofthesaifl  .hxiathan 
1).  Stevenson,  is  totally  and  unqnalifiedfy  false,  and  ih  t  he  was  ignorant  o'  any  place  or 
arrangement  for  the  procuring  of  illegal  voters  or  of  ii'egal  voting  in  said  election; 

W[Lr,IAVI  \  LAWRENCE, 
JONATHAN  NATHAN. 

Sworn  this  23d  day  of  October,  IS40,  before  me. 

J()8.  P.  PIRSSON,  Commissioner  of  Deeds. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  CAPTAIN  SHIIL1  Z.  of  thb  stsamboat  Indkpendencb. 
City  and  County  of  New  York.ss:  Alojtandcr  H.  Shuliz,  of  No.  31  Harri  on  street. in 
this  city,  being  duly  sworn,  dpposes  and  says,  thut  he  is  master  of  the  steamboat  Indepen- 
dence, plying  between  New  York  and  s*outh  Amboy.  coimecled  with  t'ie  rail  road  line  to 
Philadelphia.  That  he  has  been  so  ennaged  lor  nine  yea  s  past-that  he  has  no  recoiloo- 
lion  of  bringing  on  to  the  city  of  New  Yo.k.  persons  with  whnrn  he  was  particularly  ac- 
quainted immediately  before  or  during  the  fall  eiociion  of  1833.  Knows  J>mes  B  GiiMit 
worth,  and  has  known  him  for  seven  to  nine  years.  Had  no  knowledge,  either  dirt^ctly  or 
indirectly, that  he  was  in  Philadelphia  in  the  tall  of  that  year  lo  procure  mentn  come  to 
this  city  to  preserve  the  purity  of  the  elections.  "  I  will  (ell  you,  however.  all'I  .lo  know— 
hs  in  his  usual  braggadocia  manner  intimated  to  m*^,  that  he  was  going  on  for  some  politi- 
cal purpose,  that  would  tel!  for  the  whig  party  "  This.  I  helieve,  was  in  the  fall  of  that 
year,  and  was  said  in  s^im  on  to  Philadelphia.  In  a  few  days  after  tie  returned,  and  (old 
me  he  had  been  liringiiig  on  some  Hessians  I  was  astonished  at  the  reiitark,  as  I  saw  in 
a  moment  the  object  of  it.  I  lold  him  to  hold  Ids 'oi'goe — that  he  ought  to  be  ashamed  of 
his  conversation  and  conduct  both.  I  then  told  him  I  could  pick  out  every  man  of  them 
then  on  board  the  boat— to  satisfy  hiiu  that  I  cnuld  do  it,  I  took  hirn  on  the  forward  deck 
of  the  boat,  and  poinlefl  out  bv  a  sign,  all  of  them  except  one.  He  said  he  ha<ri.')  on 
board.  I  did  not  know  any  of  the  men  iiersonally,  but  judged  in  my  sclcciion  of  thfui  by 
their  appearance.  I  then  again  remarked  to  him,  thai  lie  ought  to  be  ashamed  oi  himself, 
as  the  whole  thing  was  contemptible.  I  cannot  tell  how  mmy  days  this  w  s  before 
the  fall  election  of  '38  This  is  the  only  time  that  any  persons  came  on  to  my  know- 
ledge.  1  am  a  strong  and  ardent  whig,  and  I  have  always  believed  these  men  wrre  brouaht 
on  to  this  city  to  vote;  I  don't  know  who  senr  RU-n  worth  to  make  this  arranaemeiit.  or 
■who  furnished  hiu-'  with  funds  for  thatobject— nor  do  I  know  that  he  was  sent  on  to  Phila- 
delphia for  that  object. 

A.  H.  SCHULTZ. 

Sworn  to  before  me,  this  23d  day  of  October,  lS4n 

GEORGE  W.  MATSELL,  Special  Justice. 

City  and  County  of  New  Yu7-k,  ss  :  Myer  Hart  Marks,  now  residing  in  tlie  conniy  of 
Philadelphia,Sfateof  Pennsylvania  being  duly  sworn,  deposes  an  I  says,  depoixMU  CMine  to 
this  city  in  the  fall  ot  1838 ;  wis  asked  to  g'>  t>aineeinj!  in  .Scurii.  Fourth  street,  between 
Lombard  and  So uih  ;  he  there  saw  from  30  to  50  men  ;  Mr.  Young,  rh>  then  an  ' now  high 
constable  of  Philadelphia,  came  in  ;  Youiig  asked  us  if  we  wanted  togotoNew  ^  oik. and 
said  he  wuuld  give  us  $30  apiece,  he  did  not  .<ay  for  whit;  he  took  d)wu  all  our  names 
lhat  were  there  ;  I  think  this  wason  Wednesday  or  Thursday  niahr  ;  I  heard  iiofhine  fnr^ 
ther  until  Sunday  evening ;  I  met  Mr.  John  Gore  at  the  corner  of  Fou'  tl\and  Siiippmfir 
streets  ;  he  said  all  the  men  cou'd  not  ao;  that  he  was  appoitited  to  selpct  such  men  a.-<  he 
thought  right;  he  then  went  to  each  man.  including  myself,  and  state  i  that  he  w<mld  cdll 
out  the  names  that  \/ere  to  go  ;  he  would  make  tw  .  parties  of  them,  one  pany  was  to  jjo 
on  to  New  York  the  next  morning,  and  the  other  on  the  d^v  lollowimj ;  I  was  appointed  to 
come  on  Tuesday  morning.  I  Wfnt  down  to  th.;  sti'amboat  for  New  York,  and  there  found 
Mr.  Young;  Mr.  Young  saidnothms  faither  tome,  but  .  ave  me  a  ticket  to  come  on  wi  h, 
and  likewise  one  ticket  for  break  ast  ;  Young  g  xve,  in  my  ()ie,-5  nee,  Mr  i  SatTiO  n  SvO,  and 
two  tickets,  one  for  passage  and  one  for  breakfast,  sayina  that  tiie  other  seven  doll  is  slu^u  d 
be  paid  when  he  got  back  to  Philadelphia  ;  the  other  monev  wa-;  given  to  a  Mr  Q  jre  hy 
Young,  in  large  bank  bills,  to  pay  the  orlier  m^^n  .S.ff  •  n  ca  ne  p-iri  of  ihe  w-iy  and  re- 
turned back  from  Bordeniown.  Young's  brother  wag  on  tio.ird  th^  hoa'  w  th  u<;  there 
was  eleven  or  thirteen  of  us  on  board  the  boat.  Vouni's  broth  -r  took  us  p  to  a  house, 
a  yellow  framed  house  on  the  river  side  ;  I  cannot  say  wher*-  it  was  ;  from  there  we  went 
to  Lovejoy's  Hotel.  On  the  way  down  Gore  changed  the  hundred  dollar  bills  and  gave 
each  man  his  money  ;  say  $20  each. 

Mr.  Gore,  Mr.  Moon  and  Mr.  Renwatcr  was  with  me.  It  was  not  said  what  we  w^re 
todo  by  no  man,  but  it  was  suppose!  thai  we  were  to  come  on  here  to  vote.  We  all 
knew  that  Mr.  Young,  the  Hij,ii  Constable,  was  a  wliig,  and  that  was  'he  ticket  we  were  to 

le 


74 


TctB  ;  nftxt  m-^  ningT  walkei  to  ths  polls  myself.  I  wont  from  Tammany  Halldovfo  Na9- 
Siui  sfre»>i  ii>  (he  Second  Ward  poll.  I  there  sa.\':  a  nnmber  of  Piiiladelphians  that  had 
eorne  on  with  ine,  others  that  Ua'i  come  on  iheriay  brfore,  and  others  that  1  did  not  ex* 
ppcr.  <\h=c!'  wf-re  the  riiiladelnhia  up-to\vn  men;  we  began  talking  among  ourselves,  and 
a--koHwho  hid  voted  and  who' had  not.  Some  said  that  they  hadliot  voted  ;  others  said 
that  fhey  had  vdted  two  or  three  times,  and  meant  to  vote  as  many  times  again.  Among 
the  p'^rs'>nr •?  ihi^re,  was  .Tnhri  Hazzard,  O' Donnelly,  Robert  Reynolds,  and  a  number  of 
oiliprs,  amonntin<>  to  eieht  or  ten,  whose  names  deponent  does  not  now  recollect.  We 
leff  fhVre  [Deponent  lipre  refuses  to  state  it  he  voted  at  the  Second  Ward  poll,  on  the 
srrnind  that  th",  answer  niiz'K  T'Mil  to  crimiaate  him]  We  wen'  down  the  street  a  short 
distance,  and  turned  to  the  ri-rht  to  another  poll,  which  he  thought  was  ihe  Third  Ward 
poll:  there  was  two  or  tnree  persons  wi  h  me— Robert  Reynolds'was  with  me  ;  there  was 
a  larce  porflv  gentleman  there,  hunting  drab  coa'  and  clothes,  and  large  red  face  ;  he  gave 
Robert  Reynolds  a'ickftto  vote.  >Ir.  John  Reynolds,  who  is  here  now,  got  np  and  said 
he  had  better  not  vote  that  ticket,  and  told  him  the  consequences.  Finally,  John  Rey- 
nolds got  the  ticket  out  of  his  hands,  and  tore  it  up.  Two  persons  voted  at  this  poll.  Ro- 
bert Reynolds  was  one;  he  came  on  from  Phikidplphia  the  day  before  me;  [cannot  an- 
Bwer  as  to  others,  as  the  answer  miirht  lead  to  criminate  him  ]  The  large  man  puUedout 
his  pocket  book,  and  nave  to  Reynolds  some  money— one  or  two  dollars,  he  thinks.  The 
large  man  then  sem  Reynolds  h;«ck  to  the  Second  VVard  poll,  the  first  deponent  spoke  of, 
and  told  him  to  20  up  stairs  ;  at  the  front  door  room,  he  would  see  a  gentleman  dressed  in 
hNck.  dark  hair  and  blick  whiskers;  he  appeared  lo  be  a  very  young  man;  deponent 
w*>nfv»ith  Reynolds;  there  were  two  rickets  got  there  and  voted  at  the  poll. 

From  the  room  whe-e  we  got  the  ticke's,  we  all  went  down  stairs  into  a  side  door— the 
tickets  wer-^  put  into  the  baliot  box  Robert  Reynolds  was  one  that  voted  here.  From 
there  I  went  out  by  th*"  front  door,  and  met  a  friend  of  mine,  Mr.  Lewis,  from  Philadel- 
phia Mr  RpvnoVls  discovered  Lewis,  and  left  !iie.  Lewis  called  me  one  side,  and  said, 
d.>  von  know  fhaf  you  arc  s'led  1  1  asked  hUn  for  what.  He  replied  f.->r  voting  where  I 
had  no  risht.  Tdeni'^di'.  He  said  there  was  no  use  in  denying  it,  that  i^Ir.  Bailey  bad  seen 
me  Tote,  and  that  a  Mr.  Harrison  was  going  t<>  have  me  taken,  and  advised  me  to  go  off,  for 
a1thou2h  T  had  acted  bad.  he  did  n  t  wish  to  see  ine  injured.  I  told  him  I  could  not  go 
then.  He  asked  me  to  wa'k  u:)to  T  juimany  Ha  l  with  him  ;  on  tlie  road  he  wanted  me  to 
tell  the  tiu'h.and  sai  l  I  should  not  beinju'-ed  I  then  related  to  Lewis  all  I  knew  about 
tt-prettv  much  the  same  as  I  have  relntefl  here.  Lewis  took  me  to  Tammany  Hall, 
where  t  m°t  a  ffood  many  p<^rsnns,  and  we  got  drinking  Tl>e  story  then  sot  pretty  gpne- 
rally  abou'  the  Ha  1.  1  told  a  gentl'^nvan  that  I  saw  last  nisht,  and  whose  address  is  86  Pearl 
street,  and  w!io  was  at  Tanunany  Hall  at  that  time,  he,  Mr.  Lewis,  myself,  and  some  other 
person  went  down  to  the  Second  Wiird  poll— Mr.  Lewis  >fisked  me  to  no  up  stairs  to  see  if 
I  could  not  cet  another  ticket-,  I  wont  oi)  stairs  ar.d  saw  tlie  same  gentleman  that  gave 
me  tickets  before  ;  he  said  so  down  by  the  opposite  corner  and  I  wii!  see  you  m  a  few 
moments;  T  went  down  and  L'ot  into  C'>nversation  with  Mr  Lewis  and  this 2entiemj.n— the 
gentlemari  from  th'^  room  soon  came  down  to  mean.i  called  me  from  Mr.  Lewis  ;  he  save 
me  a  ticket  and  note  to  20  to  <ome  other  ward  to  vote;  the  person  to  whom  the  note  was 
directed  I  do  not  know  or  lerollect ;  he  told  me  to  tr.ke  it  lo  the  gentleman  to  whom  if  was 
dirflcfed  at  'he  ^ourth  ^"V^ard  poll  ;  he  then  went  hack  to  the  house,  when  deponent  began 
talking  to  Mr.  Lewis.  1  gave  Mr.  Lewis  the  ticket  and  no  e.  The  ticket  had  the  demo- 
r>-atic  headinvt.  the  names  of  the  democratic  cewididates  all  scratched  out,  and  the  names  of 
the  opposite  party  wrofp  fine  y  wi'h  a  pen.  I  ihrn  went  buck  to  Tammany  Hall,  and  stayed 
thereuntil  three  o'clock-  C"l  McCaii  >  came  in,  from  Philadelphia,  andtoldme  that  it 
won  d  STve  me  a  good  deal  of  dilficu'ty  if  I  would  make  oarh  to  this  L  with  some  reluc- 
tftnce,  ncreed  to  it ;  afterwards  he  started  me  to  go  to  the  Police  office  to  make  oath;  I 
was  arrested  at  the  Police  after  I  got  there:  I  whs  put  in  prison  and  kept  there  for  two 
terms  and  disctia  ged  by  proclamation.  Mr.  Lewis  or  Mi.  McCann  got  the  ticket  and  note 
while  T  w  s  in  pri-on  ;  I  was  visited  by  several  persons  ;  Assistant  Alderman  Crolius,  of 
the  Sixth  Ward,  save  me  the  range  of  tlie  prison,  and  seemed  to  cake  a  good  deal  of  inter- 
est to  iret  me  clear 

After  1  was  discharsed.  some  pers>ins  at  the  court  door,  ns  1  was  leaving  it,  ra^-t  me  and 
took  me  down  towm,  in  the  nr-ishborhood  where  the  gr.  ai  fite  was,  to  a  house,  in  the  first 
or  pcrood  stor^  cannot  say  winch,  w^-ierc  I  saw  a  iren!leiii:««  who  paid  me  twenty-five  dol- 
lar."?, in  five  dollar  bil's;  at  the  snme  time  stat.'d  that  1  had  done  wroni— to  go  home  and  ne- 
ver-how  mv  face  a?  un  in  New  York  ;  I  then  went  home.  I  do  not  know  how  it  was  con- 
trived that  I  should  be  dischargifd  by  prociamadon  Oi-p  'ucnl  did  reail  the  contents  of  th« 
note  thnt  was  given  him  10  so  to  the  Fouith  Ward  poll,  and  its  purport  was  not  to  challenge 
Marks'e  vote  ;  was  n'  tmld  that  the  person  to  whom  he  was  to  give  it  was  a  challenger.— 
The  friend  that  wen/  wi  h  me  afYtr  my  discharge  went  up  stairs  first,  and  shortly  reiurn.Ml 
and  told  in  -  that  the  man  wante<l  10  .-co  me.  and  cann  tt  tell  whether  it  was  thf  acnileman 
or  his  (rif>nd  that  eav<^  him  the  five  dollar  bills  Ueyaold'-^  nanie  was  ask^d  at  the  polls- 
he  gavp  a  name,  but  I  believe  if  was  not  iiis  ow  i  name.  I  do  nor  know  how  many  votes 
were  given  in,  but  some  of  the  Philadelphia  party  slated  that  some  of  them  had  voted  e'ght 
or  ten  vo'es.   I  arrivedon  Tuesday  and  was  arrested  on  We  lnesdiv. 

MVER  H.  MARKS. 

Sworn,  the  vGth  day  of  October,  1S40,  before  nu-, 

ROBERT  H.  MORRIS. 
Recorder  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

City  and  County  of  Npw  York^ts:  Myer  H.Marks,  after  having  left  the  room  for  aome 
minutes,  returnod.and  be^ng  farther  sworn,  says  he  wishes  to  make  an  explanation.  That 
be  wa«  told  by  the  friend  that  was  with  him  that  a  check  was  given  to  a  bey.   Thiii  depo- 


75 


nent  farther  says,  the  hoy,  in  deponerii's  presence,  returned  with  rhc  fiye  $5  bills,  which 
were  handed  to  the  gentleman,  and  by  him  panl  to  the  deponent,  Mr.  Ureyfous,  when  I 
sot  out,  tDld  me  he  ud  lersioodfroin  in/  frioa  I  that  a  check  had  been  sent  out  with  a  boy  ; 
I  then  remembered  ihat  was  the  cise.   Mr.  Edmonds  was  also  present. 

MYER  H.  MARKS. 

Sworn,  this  26th  day  of  October,  1S40,  before  me. 

ROBERT  n.  MORRIS 
Recoider  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

City  and  County  of  New  York,  3s :  .I)haP.  Reynolds,  of  the  district  of  Southwark,  in 
the  county  of  Piiiladelptna,  beiui^  du  y  sw  irn,  do  h  dep  )se  and  say,  that  Charles  Strine 
came  to  mo  in  the  affernooriof  ttie  Saturday  last  precedm;^  the  election  in  the  ciiy  of  New 
York,  in  the  fall  of  IS3S,  and  as^e  I  m^  how  I  would  li.<e  to  g  >  to  New  York  ;  that  I  replied 
would  like  very  well  to  go,  but  had  no  money  ;  th  it  Srriiie  ihen  informed  ino  that  my  e.x- 
penses  W)uld  be  piid.and  money  besides;  thit  I  rep  ie  1  tliat  such  an  arrangement  would 
suit  me,  as  I  had  business  in  New  York,  and  wanted  to  go  there  any  how  ;  that  I  then 
asked  Strme  what  I  w.is  to  do  when  I  got  in  New  York,  and  that  Strine  replied  that  would 
be  told  by  James  Youn^,  the  high  constable,  next  evening  ;  that  on  Sunday  evening  there 
was  a  small  meeting  caUed  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Glore,  in  Fourih  street,  corner  of 
Ball  Alley,  in  Southwark ;  I  was  present  at  such  meeting;  that  John  Gore,  Hart  Marks, 
Wm.  Satfron,  Charles  Sti  iiie,  James  Young,  George  Moore.  Georg'^  Rose,  and  James  Re- 
menter,  a  d  a  number  of  others,  were  also  there ;  that  Mr.  Young  then  stated  to  us  that  he 
wished  us  logo  on  to  New  York  ;  thit  he  ha<l  inide  ai  rangemen's  for  som3  thirty  or  forty 
men,  but  could  not  send  so  many,  as  the  money  had  failed  ;  that  he  thought  about  twenty  or 
twenty-four  men  were  asmany  as  he  couUl  send  froiu  Southvvirk  ;  that  he  had  promised 
us  thirty  dollars  a  piece,  but  his  money  was  short,  and  he  could  only  pay  us  twenty  and 
give  us  our  passage  ticket,  and  that  when  we  returned  we  should  have  the  other  seven 
dollars;  that  he  then  told  us  to  meet  him  next  mornmg  at  the  New  York  boat,  and  ho 
would  give  us  the  money  ;  that  he  met  us  the  next  morning  at  the  boat  for  New  YorK,  and 
was  with  a  man  who  appeared  to  be  one  of  the  head  men  from  iVew  York;  that  he  then 
took  us  into  a  hitle  tavern,  atthe  corner  of  Walnut  and  Water  streets,  in  the  bar  room,  but 
did  not  a'low  but  one  of  us  to  come  in  at  a  time  ;  that  he  then  paid  us  twenty  dollar?  a 
piece,  and  gave  us  onr  passage  ticket ;  that  he  then  took  us  on  board  of  the  boat  for  New 
York,  atlhe  foot  of  Walnut  street  ;  that  he,  J.  Young,  told  us  that  a  committee  would  meet 
us  at  the  landing  in  New^  York,  and  tell  us  where  to  go  and  what  to  do,  but  did  not  caution 
us  against  votinir,  or  give  us  any  advice  of  the  kind;  that  we  came  toAmboy  by  the  rail- 
road, and  from  thence  to  New  Vork  in  a  steamboat,  and  were  landed  near  the  Battery;  that 
a  man  met  us  on  the  "Wharf,  and  asked  us  if  we  were  the  committee  sent  on  from  Philadel- 
phia ;  that  some  one  replied  we  wen^,  and  the  man  then  asked  us  who  cam  •  on  with  as  ; 
thai  some  of  our  party  replied  that  Mr  Young's  brother  came  on  w^iih  u-s ;  that  the  man 
then  tfld  us  to  foil  w  hiui,  and  fhar  a  place  was  prov  ded  for  us  ;  that  deponent  then  left  the 
party  and  wentt  >  Mrs  Pierce's,  No  83  Division  street,  where  he  put  up  while  in  the  city 
of  New  York;  tha^  ai,  the  meetino:  at  John  G  )re's  hoise,  on  Sunday  evening,  at  South- 
wark, we  elected  him  Captain  ;  that  on  the  next  Wednesday  morning  af;er  arr  iving  in  New 
York,  walked  down  to  a  tavern  m  Chatham  square,  near  the  Franklin  Theatre,  and  there 
met  Vincent  Taylor,  oie  of  the  piry  who  catn  3  on  from  Philadelphia;  that  Taylor  asked 
me  totake  a  wa'k,  and  we  went  down  Cnatham  street  to  Broadway,  and  then  into  Court- 
landt  street  to  the  Third  Ward  polls  ;  that  we  there  met  Hart  Marks;  that  I  asked  Marks 
what  he  was  going  to  do,  and  Marks  said  he  was  going  to  vote  ;  that  I  then  told  him  not  to 
do  so,  as  he  did  not  know  what  difficulties  he  iinght  get  in  ;  that  Marl<s  said  he  was  broke 
and  didn't  know  how  he  would  get  home  ;  that  he  must  vote  to  get  money  to  go  back,  for 
he  was  promised  paj  for  every  time  he  voted  ;  that  I  then  told  him  not  to  do  so,  for  the 
money  would  do  him  no  good,  if  he  got  into  difficulties  here;,  thataman  Ihen  came  up, 
dressed  in  a  drab  coat  and  pantaloons. a  large  portly  man, with  a' round  red  face,  and  called 
Marksaway;  tha-  I  then  went  with  Taylor  farther  on  through  the  [crowd, and  there  met 
Ribert  Reynolds,  who  also  came  on  with  our  party  from  Phdadeiphia  ;  I  said  to  him , 
"  hallo.  Boh,  what  are  you  doing  7"  and  he,  being  a  little  corned,  replied.  "  Bv  Jesus.  I'm 
going  to  vote  ;  that  I  tlien  told  hiin  he  shoul'l  n.it  vote,     1  wa^i  his  friend,  and  w  uld  not 
let  him  ;  I  ttien  asked  liimto  let  me  see  his  ticket,  which  he  did,  and  I  tore  it  up— it  was  a 
whig  ticket ;  Taylor  and  deponent  then  endeavored  to  take  hiin  off,  and  got  him  down  the 
street  some  distance,  when  he  got  off  and  said  he  would  go  back  and  vote  ;  that  Marks  and 
Reynolds  both  said  they  got  paid  to  vote  and  would  vfite,  but  deponent  diil  not  see  their 
vote  ;  that  he  Imard  Donnelly  and  several  others  of  the  party  from  Philadelphia  say  they 
voted  in  four  or  five  different  wards  and  got  paiil  for  it ;  that  thny  shook  their  money  at  rae 
and  reproached  me  for  not  going  round  and  voting  alsv  ;  that  when  I  returned  to  PhiladeN 
phia,  I  called  on  Mr.  James  Young,  at  the  Mayor's  office,  lor  tlu;  seven  dollars  still  due, 
and  he  promised  to  pay  ine  m  a  day  or  two.  but  has  nevi  done  so  ;  that  Young  said  the  mo- 
ney had  failed,  and  he  wis  goin?  to  New  York  after  m  ire  ;  and  after  his  return  from  New 
York  I  called  on  him  and  he  said  he  did  not  set  any  m  mpy  in  New  Ymk,  as  he  could  not 
see  any  of  the  party  ;  that  when  he  got  the  m  m^y  fie  would  pay  me  ;  that  neither  Young 
or  any  other  person  told  us  that  we  were  to  go  on  to  New  Yoi  k  to  see  i hat  no  locofoco  from 
Philadelphia  voted  ihere  ;  that  I  did  not  know  what  we  were  to  do  in  New  York  tillCharlea 
Strine,  on  the  road,  lold  me  privately  that  when  we  got  to  New  York  we  were  to  go  to  the 
different  wards  and  vote  the  whig  ticket  if  we  could  his 

JOHN  P    X  REYNOLDS, 
mark. 

Sworn  before  me,  this  26th  day  of  October,  1840. 

GEORGE  W.  MATSELL, 

Special  Justice  of  tlie  Peace. 


o 


7  C 


